CommUnity Care ramps up COVID-19 testing capacity

AUSTIN, Texas - Right now if you wanted to be tested for COVID-19, you'd need to have a valid reason.

“Not everyone needs to have a test. We assess them for symptoms down at the site and then they progress through two different stations and if they need a test we will obtain a test,” said Jaeson Fournier, CEO at CommUnity Care.

CommUnity Care works closely with Austin Public Health. They are already expanding testing capacity, especially in some remote parts of town.

“We actually just opened up another test this morning, in Southeast Metropolitan Park in Del Valle. Other areas we expect to come online next week include Colony Park, Manor,  Austin's Colony, Hornsby Bend as well as taking a look at Dove Springs,” said Fournier.

With neighboring city Houston opening up testing to anybody, even those without symptoms, could Austin be looking at doing that too? Austin Public Health said we are not there, but CommUnity Care is open to the idea. “Understanding just how many folks are sick or maybe asymptomatic, not that we're testing asymptomatic folks, but understanding that would be very helpful,” said Fournier.

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For now, Austin will only be testing those who show a need, mainly due to a limited supply of test kits.

“Early on we had limited access to tests like so many other healthcare providers. We still have limited access but it's improved over the last week or so,” said Fournier.

The following sites are now offering drive-up testing for those who show a need:

• Del Valle Drive-Up Testing: Del Valle at Southeast Metropolitan Park from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Thursday
• Colony Park Drive-Up Testing: Barbara Jordan Elementary School from  9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Friday
• Hancock Drive-Up Testing: 1000 E 41st Street Ste: 925, Austin from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday - Friday 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Saturday

For information about testing, call CommUnityCare's COVID-19 Hotline at 512-978-8775.

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