HOUSTON – On Wednesday, Gov. Greg Abbott and Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo announced that two new COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites for Harris County in partnership with Walgreens are to open.
The sites are scheduled to be open Friday, April 17, and will have the capacity to conduct 200 tests per day at each location.
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For the past week, Gov. Abbott said he has been working with Judge Hidalgo and Walgreens to bring these sites online and increase Harris County’s testing capacity. Testing in these locations will be available by appointment and individuals will first need to complete a digital health assessment to determine eligibility using criteria established by CDC.
Gov. Abbott and Judge Hidalgo issued the following joint statement regarding this announcement:
"Collection and testing is one of the most powerful tools we have in the fight against COVID-19, and we are working every day to increase testing capacity for the people of Harris County. We are grateful to Walgreens for their partnership to get these new sites online so we can continue to ramp up testing, identify Texans who have contracted COVID-19, and slow the spread of this virus."
According to Hidalgo, the tests are 15-minute tests, and people will receive their results within 24 hours after the results are reported to the appropriate health officials. The two sites will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. starting Friday and anticipate being able to do around 200 tests daily. People must complete an online screening before going to the sites. Go to readyharris.org to find the registration link.
First responders, healthcare workers and symptomatic people over 65 will be prioritized for testing. Those people will also be required to register online. The tests are available at no cost to the public, according to Roy Armstrong, Walgreens Regional Healthcare Director. Armstrong said the tests are for the live virus, not the antibody test.
The locations of the two new testing sites are as follows:
- 14531 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77082
- 101 W. Southmore Ave., Pasadena, TX 77502
To schedule an appointment, go to www.walgreens.com/coronavirus or www.walgreens.com/findcare.