COVID-19 TESTING

Several people are sharing their complaints, claiming they haven’t received COVID-19 test results after visiting several sites hosted by Fort Bend County Independent School District weeks ago.

When it comes to COVID-19 testing, some are feeling frustrated with the experience.

On this first day of testing at the Minute Maid Park COVID-19 mega test site, long lines of cars stretched for miles down the street and people complained of waiting for hours just to get into the test site itself.

If you see a tent, trailer, signs for free rapid testing and there’s a line of people, should you join it? One medical professional says not so fast.

The Houston Health Department is partnering with DAVACO to open another drive-thru COVID-19 testing site this week.

The Houston Health Department is expanding its COVID-19 testing effort because the demand for testing is rising dramatically.

HOUSTON – COVID-19 vaccinations and testing can resume now that the winter storms that hit Texas last week have passed. People who had vaccine and testing appointments that were canceled due to the winter storms will be rescheduled, Harris County Public Health said. Those with appointments for their first or second vaccine doses, or waiting for their second vaccine appointment, will be contacted soon. HCPH said it needs additional vaccines to vaccinate everyone waiting for their second doses. “Testing is still critically important to help stop of the spread of COVID-19,” HCPH said in a news release.

Now, hundreds of millions of tests later, Channel 2 Investigates discovered doctors gouging patients and insurance companies for tests that are supposed to be free. Kurian’s explanation of benefits showed the River Oaks Emergency Room charged her insurance company $8900 each for her and her husband. “They said, ‘Well, you talked to a doctor over the phone when you got here that asked you questions.’”Who is paying these high COVID test bills? “I’m wondering if you can explain why you would charge almost $9,000 for a covid test,” said reporter Amy Davis. Free testing is availableThere are plenty of free COVID testing sites available all over the greater Houston area.

As part of our Ask 2 series, the newsroom will answer your questions about all things Houston. spreads COVID-19, why can’t I be tested with a breathalyzer instead of jamming a giant swab up my nose? Answer: COVID-19 tests are performed by obtaining a specimen such as mucus or saliva. According to MD Anderson, a nasal swab test collects a sample of secretions to be analyzed for coronavirus' genetic material. Send it our way, and we will try to hunt down an answer.

Question: Are there any rapid COVID-19 tests that can be taken at home? Answer: At-home COVID-19 tests are available, but limited. Randalls announced in July that it will provide at-home test kits at the pharmacy that is approved by the FDA for emergency use. Houston-based imaware Health is also providing COVID-19 at-home test kits in partnership with the Houston Health Department for those who are at higher risk for the virus. To qualify for imaware’s COVID-19 test, you must take their screening and risk assessment before scheduling your test kit.

HOUSTON Several people lined up outside of the Mexican Consulate near Midtown waiting to be tested Wednesday morning. The Houston Health Department has set up 20 free testing sites across Houston, including four mega-sites. People needing information about UMMC test sites can call 1-866-333-COVID or visit ummcscreening.com. The department and its agency partners may shift locations and schedules of test sites to better meet community needs. Houstonians can visit HoustonEmergency.org/covid19 for current Houston testing sites and information about stopping the spread of the virus.

HOUSTON The University of St. Thomas has partnered with United Memorial Medical Center (UMMC) to provide mandatory COVID-19 testing for its resident assistants, residence hall students and athletes before the semester starts. Testing will be on Tuesday, Aug. 12 and 14, and will continue the following week on Aug. 19. Testing will occur on the second floor of Moran Parking Center, 3807 Graustark, where these students will drive through the site between 1 - 4 p.m. The university said they will also offer voluntary COVID testing on the same dates, times and location to other members of the UST community, including faculty, staff, and non-residential students. UST and its students will not incur any cost for the testing, Spencer Conroy, Vice President of Finance and Business Relations, said.

Three of the four Fort Bend County residents have experienced COVID-19 symptoms and battling to schedule tests. We are dealing with over 2,000 callbacks a day,‘” Tingler said. KPRC 2 reached out to the local health departments regarding COVID-19 testing capacity:Fort Bend County issued this statement regarding testing:Our COVID-19 testing sites have reached capacity for today. Harris County Public Health released the following statement:All Harris County Public Health testing sites have been overcapacity for the last few weeks. Houston Health Department responded with the following message:Our two FEMA-affiliated community-based testing sites (Butler and Delmar Stadiums) offer same-day appointments.