FORT BEND COUNTY, Texas — The OakBend Medical Group is launching the first coronavirus testing site in Fort Bend County Thursday morning.
The test site will be open from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. However, KHOU 11 News is not sharing exactly where it is because similar to other testing sites in Harris County and in Houston, residents have to qualify before they show up.
To do that, residents have to go through an initial phone screening by calling number 281-238-7870. If someone meets the criteria, Telehealth will input your name into the system, so you just need to bring a valid ID like a driver's license.
Also, keep in mind this test site isn’t free.
The screening costs $40 out of pocket or your insurance will be billed. The coronavirus test costs $100 out of pocket or your insurance will be billed for that as well.
The test results will take 24 to 48 hours before they are available.
Officials say they can do up to 125 tests a day.
Meanwhile Houston city leaders are warning that the free drive-thru testing site could be halted as early as Thursday due to a supply shortage.
The mayor said they’re out of protective equipment for people doing the tests, and that they’re waiting on their weekly shipment from the federal government.
If they don’t get it, they can’t open.
Right now, the city’s able to do up to 250 COVID-19 tests per day at their drive thru site.
If someone would like to help, city leaders in Houston say they’ll gladly accept supply donations from anyone.
Coronavirus symptoms
The symptoms of coronavirus can be similar to the flu or a bad cold. Symptoms include a fever, cough and shortness of breath, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Some patients also have nausea, body aches, headaches and stomach issues. Losing your sense of taste and/or smell can also be an early warning sign.
Most healthy people will have mild symptoms. A study of more than 72,000 patients by the Centers for Disease Control in China showed 80 percent of the cases there were mild.
But infections can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death, according to the World Health Organization. Older people with underlying health conditions are most at risk for becoming seriously ill. However, U.S. experts are seeing a significant number of younger people being hospitalized, including some in ICU.
The CDC believes symptoms may appear anywhere from two to 14 days after being exposed.
Human coronaviruses are usually spread through...
- The air by coughing or sneezing
- Close personal contact, such as touching or shaking hands
- Touching an object or surface with the virus on it, then touching your mouth, nose or eyes before washing your hands.
Help stop the spread of coronavirus
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Eat and sleep separately from your family members
- Use different utensils and dishes
- Cover your cough or sneeze with your arm, not your hand.
- If you use a tissue, throw it in the trash.
- Follow social distancing
Lower your risk
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- If you are 60 or over and have an underlying health condition such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes or respiratory illnesses like asthma or COPD, the World Health Organization advises you to try to avoid crowds or places where you might interact with people who are sick.
Get complete coverage of the coronavirus by texting 'FACTS' to 713-526-1111.
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