With the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in North Texas, consumers are telling NBC 5 Responds that they are making an effort to find tests.
Read on to learn what happens and where to start your search if you need a COVID-19 test.
“At the moment it’s a completely different world”
Last week, McKinney’s Maria Lucé wanted answers when her vaccinated 16-year-old son lost his sense of taste and smell.
“We didn’t want him to go to school and infect everyone else,” said Lucé. “We thought let’s just test it. Lo and behold, it’s not an easy process. “
Lucé said the next urgent care required an appointment and the facility was booked for days. She said another site has been closed because of a known exposure.
“On the third, fourth, we thought what are we going to do?” said Lucé.
After at least two hours of searching, Lucé said she found a place where her son could be tested. The family went to Frisco for a quick test. It is the seventh location that the family has tried, Lucé said.
“You need to know the state of the COVID tests and it’s a completely different world right now,” she said.
Some public websites are reopening due to increasing demand
Across northern Texas, many large public testing centers shut down earlier this year as demand for testing slowed and resources shifted to vaccination clinics.
Just recently, Tarrant County and Dallas County announced they would reopen some public websites to meet demand for COVID-19 testing, but most of the testing will be done by private health facilities or pharmacies.
Public health experts said testing is still vital to contain the spread of COVID-19 and identify people in need of isolation and treatment.
A list of Tarrant County’s public test sites can be found here.
In Dallas County, see a list here.
Where to look for COVID-19 test
To find a COVID-19 test site, start your search using the Texas test suite site map here. The website is maintained by the Texas Department of Emergency Management. A spokesman said the information was obtained with the help of federal partners.
On the website, zoom in to your location on the map and click each pin to see if the website requires an appointment, a doctor’s referral, and the type of test offered. Call ahead to make sure the information is up to date – before you drive over it.
NBC 5 Responds asked the Texas Department of State Health Services if it had tracked delays in processing COVID-19 laboratory results during this recent surge. A spokesman said the state hadn’t heard of delays in a lab, but said it was possible that some labs could take an extra day or two to produce results due to the high number of tests.
Test opportunities at home
If you can find a home test, it may be an option for some.
“The ideal candidate is someone who knows they have been exposed and then develops symptoms,” said Dr. Karen Roush, vice chairman, pathology, Methodist Health System.
Dr. Roush said that each kit is labeled with information about the best use for testing.
She points out that there are different types of home tests. With Home Collection Kits you collect your own sample and then send it to a laboratory where the results can take a few days.
There are also rapid test antigen kits that you can use to collect and test your sample at home. The tests are quick, but Dr. Roush explains that they’re not as accurate as molecular tests that are analyzed in a laboratory.
“It’s not the most sensitive. You could still have COVID, but it would not be detected by the antigen test due to the sensitivity limits, ”explained Dr. Roush.
If you are using a home test kit, follow the instructions carefully – especially if the kit prompts you to retest.
In general, Dr. Roush that retesting is a good idea for anyone who continues to experience symptoms after testing negative.
“If you do not feel well despite negative COVID tests, follow up on this. I think we should all do that now. I think most people are, “said Dr. Roush.
If you are testing for a work, school, or travel requirement – confirm that the home test results are acceptable. In many cases they are not.
NBC 5 Responds is committed to researching your concerns and getting your money back. Our goal is to give you answers and, if possible, solutions and a solution. Call us at 844-5RESPND (844-573-7763) or fill out our customer complaint form.
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