Free coronavirus testing sites opening in Fort Worth, Dallas in ‘underserved’ communities
Free drive-thru coronavirus testing sites in Fort Worth and Dallas are opening in a partnership with Kroger and both cities.
The Fort Worth site opens Thursday at J.P. Elder Middle School, at 600 Park St. The site will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
The Dallas site will open Saturday in the CitySquare parking lot at 1610 Malcolm X Blvd. It will be open from 8:30 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Monday, and from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Kroger Health, which is the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., plans to perform over 1,000 tests weekly at each site.
“As we begin to take the first steps in easing restrictions and slowly re-opening, we must continue to increase our testing capacity so we can truly understand the impact this virus is having on our community,” Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said in a news release. “I am grateful for our continued partnership with Kroger … We must continue to protect ourselves against this virus, and testing is vital role in ultimately combating COVID-19.”
Residents must register online and go through a virtual screening tool to see if they meet the requirements for a test. If so, they’ll select a location and appointment time online at https://www.krogerhealth.com/covidtesting.
The requirements are based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Eligibility for testing is based on the CDC and state and local government recommendations.
When arriving for a test, residents should have their photo ID ready and leave their window rolled up for check-in until a health care practitioner comes to the car.
These testing locations will feature a self-administered nasal swab that must be ordered and observed by a provider. Kroger has determined that this testing methodology is beneficial as it increases the number of tests that can be provided while also conserving the amount of personal protective equipment that is utilized.
Both sites estimate they’ll handle about 250 tests per day and results are expected within about 72 hours.
“COVID-19 testing is critical to public health and our economic recovery plans,” Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. “I am thrilled that Kroger has stepped up to provide more public testing, and I am particularly pleased that the company selected a site in South Dallas, which will be a boon to our historically underserved residents who are especially vulnerable to this pandemic.”
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins said the testing site in southern and central Dallas is vital to the pandemic fight.
“Testing is critical, not only to keep you safe and to keep the disease from spreading, but to have our best chance of successfully reopening the economy,” Jenkins said.
