The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sending eight million rapid COVID-19 tests for use in Texas. The tests can produce results in as little as 15 minutes.
Governor Greg Abbott's office will distribute the tests. His office says the tests will be used in schools, nursing homes and for first responders.
Abbott's office says the use of rapid testing can help with contact tracing and reduce the severity of an outbreak in a place where many people gather. A pilot program started earlier this month to provide rapid testing kits to eight school districts.
The rapid testing kits are being made available as hospitalizations increase across Texas. Monday, the Texas Department of State Health Services reported 5,278 patients, an increase of 959 from a week ago.
Hospitals in North Texas had 1,424 COVID-19 patients, an increase of 83 patients from a week ago and 514 more than the last week of August.
COVID-19 patients account for 9.92% of total hospital capacity in North Texas. The region where COVID-19 patients occupied the largest percentage of hospital beds is El Paso at 39.58%.