Coronavirus: Austin Public Health Launches 1st Testing Site

AUSTIN, TX — The first local testing collection point for detection of the new coronavirus was launched on Saturday, Austin Public Health officials announced.

This site is one of 11 test collection points with a public-private partnership between Austin Public Health (APH), St. David’s, Ascension Seton, UT Health Austin (Dell Medical School) and Baylor Scott & White, officials said.

While this site will specifically focus on gathering information and tests across Austin and Travis County, patients will be prioritized contingent on medical referrals and with pre-scheduled appointments, officials said. Those without a referral will be given information on how they can be referred so they can go through the proper channels to get qualified for testing, officials added.

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“We have to prioritize those who are at higher risk, hospitalized, our health care workers, first responders, and those who work in critical infrastructure to ensure that they have access because it's important for the public health and safety of our city,” Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Health Authority for Austin-Travis County, said in a prepared statement.

Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Mark Escott hinted at the testing site's arrival during a Friday press briefing, saying it could be installed as early as Saturday. The expanded ability to test potential patients comes amid evidence of community spread of the virus, as Escott said at the time — noting five clusters of human congregation are being studied as possible sources for illness transmission.

"It's important for us to understand we are now at a critical state in the pandemic in Travis County," Escott said during Friday's press conference. "Our success in battling and defeating this virus depends on our community," he added in reiterating the critical need for self-isolation and social distancing to flatten the curve of illness in mitigating its spread.

Photo courtesy of Austin Public Health.

While Austin Public Health recently received approximately 1,000 COVID-19 test kits from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Escott noted, there is still a significant gap between the number of tests available and the number of people seeking a test.

Under criteria laid out by the Texas Department of State Health Services, prioritization is given to individuals with a specific combination of symptoms combined with risk factors such as travel, close contact with confirmed cases, or underlying health conditions, officials said.

Photo courtesy of Austin Public Health.

Austin-Travis County EMS, Austin Police and Fire Departments are also assisting with logistics at these test collection points, officials said.

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Guide for potential patients

• If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), avoid the risk of spread at clinics and hospitals by using telehealth virtual visits (see a list of services here) or calling your health provider.
• Your physician will determine if there is another plausible diagnosis with similar symptoms (i.e. influenza). People with no insurance and no established provider experiencing Coronavirus-like symptoms should call CommUnityCare at 512-978-8775. CommUnityCare will triage people over the phone and send them to the appropriate location.
• For suspected COVID-19 cases, your doctor will fill out a form. Austin Public Health will use this information to assess risk and criteria to determine whether a test is appropriate. You will be notified on whether you qualify for a test and will be provided with a test-site location. Until then, stay at home and self-distance.

Patients are advised that private healthcare providers in their areas may be providing their own testing, and they should contact their doctor’s office for further guidance.

Austin Public Health is stressing the importance of practicing good personal hygiene, gathering with others only if it is essential, and checking on elderly friends and family who might need some assistance during this time. If people feel sick they should stay home.

For more information, visit www.austintexas.gov/COVID19.

Health officials noted the exact locations for testing are only being released to patients referred to them by medical professionals. Patch is honoring a request from health officials to media outlets not to publish locations of testing sites to avoid a potential surge of residents without medical referrals. "This may change in the future as we receive more test kits and supplies," officials added.