Cook Children’s urges at-home COVID testing as centers face back-to-school strain
Cook Children’s health officials are asking people to avoid emergency rooms and urgent care centers for COVID testing due to an influx of patients since the start of school that has caused longer wait times and strained all locations.
On Monday, Aug. 29, emergency department staff saw 614 patients, the equivalent to a patient checking in every 2 minutes for 24 hours straight, officials said in a statement. Cook Children’s saw a similar occurrence in August 2021, both coinciding with back to school.
Dr. Kara Starnes, medical director of Cook Children’s Urgent Care, said urgent care center staff have seen a lot of colds with 23% of COVID tests coming back positive.
“If your child tests positive for COVID at home, you can trust the test. You don’t need to have a health care provider confirm the results,” Starnes said in a statement. “If a COVID test comes back negative, it’s safe to monitor minor symptoms at home and re-test in 48 hours.”
When should I go to the emergency department for COVID?
Cook Children’s staff advises only visiting an emergency department if the following COVID symptoms are present:
- Trouble breathing
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
- Confusion
- Inability to wake or stay awake
- Pale, gray, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on skin tone
Where can I buy an at-home COVID test?
Saturday is the last day to order a free shipment of rapid antigen COVID-19 tests for your household. Each order includes eight tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is delivered by the United States Postal Service.
Free testing for ages 3 and up is available at pharmacies like CVS and Walgreens. Both also offer free at-home COVID tests.
Tarrant County Public Health also conducts COVID testing at its clinics. Check the county website to keep up to date on testing locations and times.
