Coronavirus: WilCo Offers Free Public Testing Site
WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TX — Williamson County health officials have launched a public testing site for residents seeking to determine if they have contracted the new coronavirus, officials announced on Sunday.
The Williamson County and Cities Health District is making the testing site available to enhance the ability of county residents experiencing symptoms to get tested for the COVID-19 virus, officials explained. Health officials noted the test does not require a visit with a physician, and is free of charge.
Before availing themselves of the test, residents must first take an online assessment based on screening criteria from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, officials noted.
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“We are offering this new testing option for our county residents who do not have the ability to visit with their personal doctor or go to another testing site to be tested,” Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said in a prepared statement.
The online screening tool will be used to assess if someone is eligible for a screening test based on CDC criteria. The online assessment tool will be available Monday, April 27, at http://www.wcchd.org/COVID-19/testing.php. The first tests will be conducted starting Thursday, April 30, officials said. From there, the health district said those tested are expected to receive results in a few days depending upon lab capacity.
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Those eligible for the test will be given an appointment time and location, officials added. Tests are available through a drive-through system and are by appointment only. People cannot drive up and fill out the form. Appointments will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., according to the news release.
The county effort follows a similar one in Austin announced by Austin Public Health officials on Saturday. Like its Williamson County counterpart, the Austin version also is contingent on an online assessment prior to residents being tested.
This article originally appeared on the Round Rock Patch
