Residents in Kyle who have symptoms of COVID-19 may be eligible for a test to confirm or dispel their suspicious, and in most cases, that comes at no cost.
Austin Regional Clinic’s Kyle location at the corner of Kohlers Crossing and Evertt Street is one
of five drive-through test site locations ARC announced last week. Others are in Austin, Round Rock and Cedar Park.
In order to be tested, people must have a doctor’s order. That can be secured after a telemedicine appointment from an ARC physician. To schedule an appointment, call ARC’s COVID-19 Hotline, 866-453-4525.
The Kyle location administered 40 tests during its first day of operation April 2, and personnel will be onsite to do testing from Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“If the doctor finds you should be tested for COVID-19, you will be directed to our nearest drive-up testing site,” said Katie Henry, ARC’s chief administrative officer. “Please, make sure you have had a telemedicine evaluation and have received a doctor’s order for testing so we can move patients through more quickly and easily.”
As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, there were 61 confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Hays County, including 43 still active (18 people had recovered).
The virus, which was first detected in humans in Wuhan China in late 2019, is spread through droplets expelled with breath; just days ago, the Centers for Disease control contradicted its earlier advice in recommending people wear cloth face coverings when out in public.
ARC launched the testing, it says, in response to increased public concern. The decision to conduct testing from a tent, the organization notes, minimizes risk both to patients and employees conducting the test.
“Patients appreciate that they put fewer people at risk and face less risk themselves by being tested outside,” Henry noted. “Like ARC, they want to minimize the spread of this virus in Central Texas.”
Testing is done with a nasal swab and patients do not need to get out of their cars.
Patients will be contacted later with the test results, which can take anywhere from 2 to 10 days. Currently, state labs are not charging patients for this test and most insurance companies have agreed to cover costs for tests at commercial labs, ARC said.
“If someone drives up without first having an initial physician evaluation, we will offer to schedule them for the next available telemedicine appointment so a physician can determine whether a test is indicated,” Henry said.
That consultation may occur in the same parking lot, without much waiting time, via ARC’s telemedicine service. If patients meet the testing criteria, they will be instructed to return to the drive-up testing tent.
