AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Public Health is working to expand testing availability for COVID-19, with the roll out of an online enrollment form for free drive-through testing.
Officials say the form is expected to be online next week, adding the ability for up to 2,000 tests per week to be conducted in Travis County.
"The launch of the Public Testing Enrollment Form will be a pivotal point in the testing capability for our community," said Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County Interim Health Authority. "As we gather more data through more testing, we will be provided a more complete picture of the impact of COVID-19 in Austin-Travis County."
The application will also allow health officials to assess testing demand and identify those who pose a higher risk of serious symptoms.
So far, testing has been arranged through physicians for a referral. With the new form, a healthcare provider will no longer be needed to refer someone for a test.
As of April 8, state data shows just over 6,200 tests have been completed in Travis County. However, more than 18,600 tests contained in the state data are not assigned to a county, meaning more tests may have been conducted locally.
Completing the online form won't guarantee a testing referral. Austin Public Health says testing will continue to be prioritized for health care workers and first responders on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as people at higher risk for getting serious symptoms.
Drive-through tests will be by appointment only and scheduled through the Austin Public Testing Enrollment Form portal. Tests at the APH testing sites will be at no cost to the individual.
Officials provided these details on how the online form will work:
- Individuals must create an account and fill out the form that will be located at www.AustinTexas.gov/COVID19
- The form will ask several questions to determine the patient’s eligibility for a test based on set criteria. A person can fill out the form for someone who cannot do it themselves. This information is HIPPA-protected.
- If an individual is approved for a test, the portal will allow them to schedule the location, date and time for their drive-through testing appointment.
- Testing sites will include those operated by Austin Public Health and public-private partnership sites across Austin-Travis County.
- The patient will receive a confirmation via phone, email or SMS with a unique QR code and instructions for the testing site within the same day.
- If the patient does not meet testing criteria, they will be able to revisit the portal at any time to try again (e.g. if their symptoms change the following days).
- The portal will also allow patients to see their test results and provides a community forum to ask questions and a knowledge base to view responses to frequently asked questions.
- The HOST Team with Austin Travis County EMS will be able to complete the testing form for individuals who may not have access to a computer.
Here is how the drive-through testing will work:
- When a patient arrives at the drive-through testing location, they must remain in their vehicle.
- Patients must show the technician the confirmation QR code along with any form of ID through their car window.
- The technician at the testing site will then advise the patient on the next steps of the test.
- The process from start to finish will take approximately 10 minutes.
- Individual test results will be sent to the individual by phone, email, or they will be able to access the online patient portal.
- Patients can expect results in 3-4 days.
- If a patient tests positive for COVID-19, they will receive an automated email message with instructions on how to mitigate additional community spread of the virus, as well as guidance on how to monitor symptoms to determine if additional medical supervision is necessary.
Those who do not have access to transportation to the site will be provided with other options to receive testing from community partners.
In addition to scheduling tests and monitoring confirmed positive cases, the City of Austin will send an automatic exposure questionnaire to residents who test positive, which will help gather details on how the virus might have spread, such as travel and visits to high-traffic areas. The application will also send follow-up emails or text messages to check in on each resident’s well-being, so medical care can be escalated if necessary.
