AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Public Health on Tuesday announced several new initiatives aimed at expanding the availability of COVID-19 testing across the county.
The new initiatives include a new nursing hotline for those unable to sign up for testing online, new mobile pop-up testing efforts, and home testing kits for those who are homebound or transportation-limited.
"COVID-19 testing is a vital resource for residents of Austin-Travis County," said Dr. Mark Escott, Interim Austin-Travis County Health Authority. "By offering assessments over the phone and utilizing mobile testing, we are continuing to fight a virus that has proven to be nondiscriminatory based on access to the internet or a mode of transportation."
Since the online assessment form became available in late April, officials say more than 33,000 assessments have been completed and just over 17,000 individuals have either been scheduled for or completed a test. For the Austin Public Health site, out of 8,264 individuals tested, 458 patients have tested positive, or just over 5.5%.
For those who can't register online using the Public Testing Enrollment Form, a new nursing hotline is available. Residents can call 512-972-5560 to complete the assessment interview by phone, and schedule an appointment to take the test. Call takers are available between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday.
Austin Public Health and CommUnityCare are partnering on mobile pop-up testing sites, focusing on what city officials say are targeted zip codes that are historically underserved. The sites will focus on areas that have high positivity rates, low testing rates, and will take into account community feedback. The testing locations will be shared on Austin Public Health's COVID-19 website and on social media, and will be available through the online enrollment form and nursing hotline.
For those who are homebound or transportation-limited, medical professionals will be able to administer tests in a patient's home - helping to limit person-to-person spread by keeping potentially infected residents quarantined at home. Individuals needing this service can call the nursing hotline (512-972-5560) to schedule a test. Officials say this at-home service is a pilot project, and availability may change based on staff capacity and public demand.
Finally, isolation facilities are available for those who cannot safely self-isolate at home. This is available to patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, as well as those who are under monitoring or investigation for possibly having the virus. Those needing to stay at the facility should call 512-810-7554 to make arrangements, and provide proof of testing if the test wasn't conducted through Austin Public Health. Individuals eligible to stay at the isolation facility are not charged for the service, which includes a hotel room, food, and Wi-Fi.
