Fort Bend County strike team aims to complete nursing home coronavirus testing in 2 weeks

RICHMOND, Texas – A newly formed strike team in Fort Bend County is aimed at providing coronavirus testing at nursing homes.

The fire departments and paramedic services have been tapped to help provide the testing at the 15 long-term care facilities in the county. Officials said Wednesday those helping with the testing received training on proper testing methods and handling of samples.

Fort Bend County Judge K.P. George said Gov. Abbott’s mandate for nursing home testing gives officials two weeks to complete the tests for residents and staff at the facilities.

“Testing has always been a top priority in Fort Bend County,” George said.

Officials said as many as 1,000 tests are expected to be conducted over a four-day period.

Here a replay of Wednesday’s news conference below: