City of Dallas, Dallas County to continue drive-thru COVID-19 testing beyond federal support
The City of Dallas and Dallas County have entered into agreements with Parkland Health & Hospital System and a private vendor, Honu, that will make it possible to continue drive-thru COVID-19 testing past June. The American Airlines Center testing site will close after June 30. The Ellis Davis Field House location will continue federally supported through mid-July and will transition to vendor operations if and when the federal support ends.
A new testing site at the University of Dallas in Irving will open July 1.
“COVID-19 has been spreading rapidly in our community, and testing is a critical part of our response efforts,” Mayor Eric Johnson said. “This contract and transition plan will ensure that our residents continue to have access to testing. In addition, I also urge our residents to help stop this outbreak by taking hygiene seriously, practicing social distancing, and wearing masks when coming into contact with others.”
The Ellis David Field House site will double its capacity to 1,000 tests each day and will remain a regional site with no geographic boundaries for those being tested while it remains under federal support. The testing site at the University of Dallas will only be open to Dallas city and county residents. Address verification, such as a utility bill is required.
“We are moving the AAC drive-thru site to the University of Dallas on Wednesday. Dallas County Health and Human Services will supervise a private vendor with a new lab so the turnaround for results should be faster. Faster results give you the chance to make the best decisions for your health and gives our public health experts more timely information to better advise the community,” said Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins.
“We have seen such an increase in demand for testing over the last three weeks, it is important we find a way to keep the same amount of testing available,” said Rocky Vaz, Director of the Office of Emergency Management. “Even though the AAC site is closing, the two test sites will be able to administer more tests for the next two weeks.”
Testing hours and criteria will remain the same. Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Locations:
Ellis Davis Field House
9191 S Polk St.
Dallas, TX 75232
University of Dallas
1845 E Northgate Dr., Lot B
Irving, TX 75062
Criteria for testing sites is as follows:
• Persons with symptoms of potential COVID-19 infection, including: fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills, muscle pain, new loss of taste or smell, vomiting or diarrhea, and/or sore throat; OR
•Anyone 65-years-old or older; OR
•Anyone with chronic health issues (diabetes, asthma, heart issues, etc.); OR
•Any first responders, DART drivers, healthcare workers, grocery store and essential retail store workers; OR
•Persons without symptoms who have been actively engaged in large group settings, such as public gatherings or congregations of people
At home mobile testing and neighborhood walk-up testing sites are also available for city of Dallas and Dallas County those who do not have means of transportation. To view additional testing locations visit dallascityhall.com/covid19.
