Metro Well being introduced three new, no-cost COVID-19 take a look at websites on the Alamo Faculties District Help Operations Constructing, Palo Alto Faculty and St. Philip’s Faculty. Metro Well being encourages people to get examined if they’ve signs of the coronavirus. The brand new take a look at websites had been contracted by the Metropolis of San Antonio to scale back wait instances and add capability within the area.
“Due to the elevated demand for folks in search of to get a COVID-19 take a look at, we all know we have to do extra – and we’re,” Mayor Ron Nirenberg mentioned. “At present, we’re happy to announce that we’ve contracted with the nonprofit group, Neighborhood Labs, to supply a further three new testing websites that might be in operation instantly. With these added websites, we now have the capability to check many extra folks per day.”
Bexar County Decide Nelson Wolff mentioned the Omicron variant is driving up hospitalizations and urges the group to do what they’ll to assist ease the stress on hospitals.
“This burden on hospitals is affecting medical doctors, nurses, and different key medical workers, who’re additionally getting sick and are having to overlook work, unable to look after sufferers in our hospitals,” Decide Wolff mentioned. “In the event you haven’t already, get vaccinated”.
The take a look at websites are operated by Neighborhood Labs and might be supplied on the following areas and hours. No appointment is critical. Testing is completed on a walk-up foundation solely. Outcomes might be offered inside 24 hours.
- Alamo Faculties District Help Operations Constructing, 2222 N. Alamo St. 78215
- Opens Thursday, January 6 at 8 a.m.
- Hours of operation Monday by means of Friday 8 a.m. to six p.m.
- Palo Alto Faculty Constructing 20, 1400 W. Villaret Blvd. 78224
- Opens Friday, January 7 at 8 a.m.
- Constructing 20 – Performing Arts Heart
- Hours of operation Monday by means of Friday 8 a.m. to six p.m.
- St. Philip’s Faculty, 1801 Martin Luther King Dr. San Antonio, TX 78203
- Opens Monday, January 10 at 8 a.m.
- Hours of operation Monday by means of Friday 8 a.m. to six p.m.
- Three further websites might be introduced as areas are confirmed. The Metropolis will challenge a information launch with the knowledge because it turns into accessible.
“We need to be sure that residents proceed to have entry to no price testing, particularly because the extremely contagious Omicron variant has turn into prevalent all through the group,” Metro Heath Director Claude A. Jacob mentioned. “We encourage anybody who has signs of COVID-19 to get examined, so that they don’t unfold the virus to others if they’re optimistic. We hope these further testing websites will assist meet and alleviate present demand. Keep in mind that we’ve the instruments we have to include this virus. Please masks up, get vaccinated and get your booster shot if you happen to’re eligible. Please do your half to guard San Antonio by staying house in case you are sick.”
“As all of us face the challenges of the present Omicron surge, Neighborhood Labs is glad our nonprofit group can help Metro Well being develop entry to free COVID-19 testing,” mentioned Sal Webber, president of Neighborhood Labs. “From October 2020 to June of 2021, we offered greater than 135,000 PCR checks at a number of Metropolis of San Antonio areas. Since then, we’ve elevated our lab capability and streamlined our processes, which permits us so as to add new public websites to the continued testing we do at greater than 300 space faculty campuses every week.”
“The Alamo Faculties District is dedicated to doing all that we will to maintain our group protected as we face this surge,” mentioned Dr. Mike Flores, Alamo Faculties District Chancellor. “We’re happy to have the ability to provide our Alamo Faculties District assist operations workplace and two of our conveniently positioned school campuses for anybody needing no-cost COVID-19 testing.”
As a reminder, Metro Well being stresses the significance of testing and what to do if you get examined.
- Think about using a self-test earlier than becoming a member of indoor gatherings with others who are usually not in your family.
- A optimistic self-test consequence means that you’ve got an an infection and may keep away from indoor gatherings to scale back the chance of spreading illness to another person.
- A unfavorable self-test consequence implies that you might not have an an infection. Repeating the take a look at with at the least 24 hours between checks will improve the arrogance that you’re not contaminated.
- Ask your healthcare supplier if you happen to need assistance decoding your take a look at outcomes.
“We’re persevering with retaining an in depth eye on the COVID-19 scenario and can proceed so as to add assets as wanted to include the pandemic,” mentioned Metropolis Supervisor Erik Walsh. “I’d wish to thank Metro Well being, San Antonio Fireplace Division, Healing and Neighborhood Labs for including testing capability and for persevering with to assist preserve our residents protected all through this pandemic.”
The Metropolis additionally operates 17 take a look at websites by means of Healing. The hours and areas are listed beneath. It’s essential to register upfront to be examined at a Healing web site.
Neighborhood Labs gives weekly PCR testing at greater than 300 faculty campuses, representing 11 Bexar County faculty districts plus Laredo and San Marcos ISDs. Neighborhood Labs solely makes use of PCR checks – the FDA gold customary – which detect all identified variants and makes use of a self-administered decrease nasal swab. Neighborhood Labs public testing areas might be walk-up solely; no advance registration is required. Outcomes might be returned inside 24 hours.
For a whole checklist of testing websites and vaccine pop-up clinics, go to covid19.sanantonio.gov or name 311 and choose possibility 8. Additionally, Metro Well being’s Alamodome Drive-Through Clinic is open from midday to eight p.m. Wednesday-Friday. H-E-B vaccination incentive reward playing cards are nonetheless accessible.
