CORONAVIRUS TESTING

Many offices are continuing to enforce work-from-home protocols as the COVID-19 pandemic continues -- but not all offices. This group is ready to helpTo help companies manage their teams as the world strives to maintain some normalcy, UT Physicians is rolling out a corporate COVID-19 testing program. Backed by six schools that comprise UTHealth, UT Physicians also is on the front lines of COVID-19 research and pandemic response. It’s designed to help businesses and organizations of any size. “We are utilizing molecular testing for COVID-19, which has emerged as the gold standard to screen for the disease.”Getting back to work safelyThe UT Physicians corporate COVID-19 testing program provides on-site companywide testing, and offers discounted rates for groups with a large number of employees.

LA PORTE – The doors at the Clinica Hispana in La Porte remained close after the State Attorney General’s Office filed a lawsuit against the business Wednesday. Officials said the man that runs the clinic is not a doctor, and the diagnosed COVID-19 tests he provided were actually antibody tests. RELATED: Texas AG sues Houston area clinic, says COVID-19 tests are not as advertised“Because of my lack of research I was also a victim,” Jolene said. Jolene said she and her father visited Clinica Hispana last month after experiencing COVID-19 related symptoms. That feeling led her to the hospital, where she and her father tested positive for COVID-19.

HOUSTON – Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said he is disappointed after seeing photos and videos of large crowds at bars, clubs and businesses in Houston during the Memorial Day weekend. Turner recommends residents that were not participating in social distancing or wearing masks while at crowded gatherings get tested for COVID-19. “(If) you have been around people, my advice is to go get tested,” Turner said during a press conference Sunday. Other testing options• MAPPED: There are more than 400 coronavirus testing sites in Texas. Here’s how to find one near you• MAP: Here are some coronavirus testing sites in the Houston area• Kroger provides free COVID-19 testing sites in Houston, Montgomery areas

Drive-thru testing for COVID-19 is available throughout Houston and across the state, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

HOUSTON – New options for coronavirus testing rolled out in Harris County on Friday. Walgreens launched two new rapid testing sites in west Houston and in Pasadena. According to Harris County Precinct 2 County Commissioner Adrian Garcia, the location in Pasadena was needed to help give better access to people who have been waiting for answers. “Localizing the testing and access to the testing is very critical,” Garcia said. The testing sites are open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Harris County has partnered with Walgreens to open two more COVID-19 testing sites. Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo said the results would likely be released 24 hours after the quick test. “The impressive thing about these two sites that Walgreens is providing is that these are 15-minute tests,” she said. Folks will not receive the results for 24 hours, because there are state and federal reporting requirements.”Where? On April 17, testing locations opened at former Walgreens site at 14531 Westheimer in Houston and 101 West Southmore in Pasadena.

KATY – A new rapid COVID-19 antibody test has arrived in the Houston area. Dr. Odili and his team at APEX Urgent Care in Katy are among the first to offer the new test. Similar to the rapid flu test, Dr. Odili said his office received hundreds of testing kits Tuesday. With this test, Dr. Odili said patients could get peace of mind in minutes, something traditional COVID-19 tests are unable to do. KPRC 2 paid $85 for the rapid COVID-19 antibody blood test at APEX Urgent Care.

HOUSTON – Fort Bend County is widening its coronavirus testing site to all residents, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. “I want to thank all the hard-working Fort Bend County and Access Health employees who are working around the clock to make our community safer for families and especially those most vulnerable to this terrible virus. Under the expanded testing policy, residents of Fort Bend can call (281) 238-2363 to get an identification code and the location of the testing site and to schedule a date and time. Fort Bend County is widening its coronavirus testing site to all residents, whether or not they are experiencing symptoms. Residents can visit the Fort Bend coronavirus dashboard, which provides up-to-date case counts and demographics.

HOUSTON – United Memorial Medical Center has rolled out a new tool in the fight against coronavirus. This mobile testing unit is the first of its kind in the Houston area, said UMMC spokeswoman Duni Hebron. “We just stepped up and did what we think is right for us to do.”On Wednesday, the mobile testing unit rolled up to The Jubilee Autism and Down Syndrome Center of Texas in southeast Houston. “So, we appreciate it very much.”The mobile testing unit offers more than testing but a peace of mind. We’re very grateful for it.”For more information about the UMMC coronavirus mobile testing unit, call 1-866-333-COVID (1-866-333-26843) or visit www.ummcscreening.com/.

HOUSTON – Mayor Sylvester Turner provided an update Thursday on coronavirus testing in Houston. Here are the top takeaways regarding the response to the coronavirus outbreak, including the announcement of the first death in Houston. Houston to sustain 1 testing siteTurner said the Butler Stadium testing facility in Houston has tested 1,100 people. FEMA supplies are comingTurner said FEMA shipped another load of supplies, including 5,000 test kits, Thursday. Free meals at Houston parksThe city of Houston will continue to help feed children during the Stay At Home order.

HOUSTON – A free coronavirus testing site opened to anyone released data on who is and isn’t getting tested in Houston. The drive-thru testing facility at United Memorial Medical Center conducted 400 coronavirus tests Thursday, according to the office of Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, who helped facility open this weekend. Health officials have cautioned that an increase in coronavirus testing will lead to an increase in new cases. The line of cars, hours long and for the second day in a row, tells the story. in Houston, open to anyone, released information about who is and isn’t getting tested for the virus behind the pandemic.

HOUSTON – Houston Health Department provided specific instructions for people who tested positive for the new coronavirus. Individuals, who test positive for coronavirus and are minimally ill, shouldn’t go to the emergency room or the hospital, Persse said. If they become sicker, the person should call ahead to the doctor or the emergency room, Persse said. Once their symptoms reduce, the person should talk with their health provider about the next steps, Persse said. Persse noted the post-care instruction may vary based on the health provider.

HOUSTON – The options for people to get tested for it continues to grow as the City of Houston, Harris County and Brazoria County look to combat the spread of coronavirus. Officials said if you have insurance, they’ll process it. If you are able to pay, they’ll do a sliding scale. Price: Varies, based on insuranceOption 4Next Level Urgent Care will begin drive-thru testing Friday morning at several locations across the area. Here is a list of #COVID19 Testing Facilities in Brazoria County.

HOUSTON – Dr. Umair Shah of Harris County Public Health sums up the rollout of drive-thru testing sites in a few short words: "This isn't just a simple operation." He is not alone when it comes to an understanding of the complexities behind drive-thru testing locations. "I think it's complex for a number of reasons," said Harris County Commissioner Steve Radack. The stadium will soon be home to a new drive-thru testing facility for Harris County and the surrounding areas. As for the site at Legacy Stadium, there was a call for transparency by one area resident during the build-out,"I don't know anything about this.

Houston – Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo says she is spending most of the weekend with officials from the Texas Medical Center and the city to build a testing system that will help the county better understand the scope of the new coronavirus. “One thing we hear a lot from health officials is that they need additional testing capacity to be able to accurately assess what's happening,” Hidalgo said. The city of Houston tweeted Saturday, that the Houston Office of Emergency Management and the Houston Health Department, are preparing for an expanded COVID-19 testing system starting next week and FEMA has offered to assist with one of the two mobile sites. Local officials are working to figure out the logistics of the testing system, but Hidalgo says the goal of these testing sites is to be effective, safe and accessible. You can call it Drive-thru perhaps one will be a drive-thru and one will not be,” Hidalgo said.

HOUSTON – At home playing basketball with her 12-year-old daughter Alexandra, Grace Trevino has recently learned that Klein ISD has identified a person who has tested presumptive positive for coronavirus. On Friday, Klein ISD officials said the person is not a student or staff member, teacher or administrator. He too is happy that Klein ISD is closing schools down. “There just hasn’t been enough testing," Rasmussen said. Klein ISD will reopen on March 23.

HOUSTON – Drive-thru coronavirus testing could be available in Houston as early as next week, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Abbott also announced major testing corporations like LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics will join efforts for coronavirus testing next week. The drive-thru approach for coronavirus testing has been implemented in other states. Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner revealed they are working on planning and logistics for a drive-thru facility. He also said, like in other cities, the drive-thru testing facility will require a doctor’s note.