AUSTIN, Texas — As the number of positive coronavirus cases continues to grow, new drive-thru testing facilities have popped up in response.
University of Texas Health in Austin (UTHA), Dell Medical Center's Clinic downtown, opened up a facility in the past few days. Chief clinical officer Dr. Amy Young released a statement on Tuesday afternoon.
"Dell Medical School’s clinical practice, UT Health Austin, is conducting COVID-19 [coronavirus] drive-thru testing that focuses on health care workers, high-risk individuals referred to us by Austin Public Health and Ascension Seton, known contacts of people who tested positive for COVID-19 at UT Health Austin, and UT Health Austin patients. Our teams are working to scale these efforts as quickly as possible along with other organizations, so that together, health care providers in our region can rise to this challenge and meet the needs of our vibrant and growing community."
UTHA is reaching out to people who have come into contact with people who tested positive for coronavirus at UTHA.
KVUE also confirmed on Tuesday CommUnity Care opened at least one drive-thru facility, but it is unclear who can access it or how. CommUnity Care did not respond to interview requests or send a statement.
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Baylor Scott & White, who opened the first drive-thru clinic in Austin on Saturday, closed the original location. It has since opened two new locations in Austin and Round Rock: 425 University Blvd. in Round Rock and 5251 W. U.S. 290 Austin, TX 78735.
As with the original location, people cannot just show up at the testing facility. Patients must complete a COVID-19 screening questionnaire at MyBSWHealth.com or on the MyBSWHealth app.
After repeated requests for comment since Monday evening, BSW has not confirmed who would qualify for testing at the facility or how much the entire test will cost people who arrive. The questionnaire is free.
It is also unclear why BSW closed the original location of the drive-thru clinic.
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