Fort Worth expands free COVID-19 saliva testing after single-site pilot program
Fort Worth is expanding its free COVID-19 saliva testing program after what fire department spokesman Mike Drivdahl called in a news release an “exceedingly successful pilot program.”
The city tested 1,339 Tarrant County residents at JP Elder Middle School in Fort Worth in the first week of the pilot program. That location will continue to offer saliva tests as the city adds the Dickies Arena parking garage as a second test site starting Tuesday.
“Expanding the testing capacity and increasing accessibility within our community was the natural next step after the initial saliva testing pilot program exceeded all metrics and expectations,” Mayor Betsy Price said in the news release. “Fort Worth will continue to expand testing capacity and turnaround time as we work to maintain the community’s health and economy.”
The program is being done through a partnership between the city and Tarrant County.
Both sites will require appointments made in advance and will require everybody to stay in their vehicles and wear masks when feasible, according to the release.
Anybody being tested should not eat, drink, smoke or chew gum for at least 30 minutes before the test.
Patients should bring a smartphone to the testing site, which will be used to link the testing materials to the patient’s profile. Patients who do not have access to a smartphone can receive assistance from staff on-site, officials said.
Online registration for the testing is at covidtesting.tarrantcounty.com. Residents who do not have access to a computer may call 817-248-6299 to schedule their appointment.
The tests are free to everybody, but patients with insurance should bring their insurance information. The county will attempt to bill your insurance to offset the cost of the tests, but you will not be charged anything.
“We are excited to continue our partnership with Fort Worth to bring more COVID-19 testing to Tarrant County,” Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley said in the release. “The saliva tests are easier for children to take and have a 48-hour turnaround. This gives us a better chance to track the spread of the virus in Tarrant County.”