City of San Antonio Covid-19 Testing Sites Will Only Test Symptomatic Individuals Starting Monday
July 6, 2020 - San Antonio
Symptomatic individuals only, please. Beginning Monday, all Covid-19 testing sites that are run by the City of San Antonio will only test individuals who are experiencing coronavirus symptoms. Photo: Facebook.
By Jade Esteban Estrada - Staff Writer, San Antonio Sentinel
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
- Beginning Monday, July 6, Covid-19 testing sites that are operated by the City of San Antonio will only test individuals who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms
- During the month of July, there are two new testing locations at Kazen Middle School and Cuellar Community Center
- A person who has been exposed to Covid-19 needs to quarantine for 14 days from that exposure regardless of a negative Covid-19 test, according to Assistant City Manager Dr. Colleen Bridger
Beginning July 6, all Covid-19 testing sites managed by the City of San Antonio will require individuals to have Covid-19 symptoms in order to be tested at the free City-operated locations. These locations include the Freeman Coliseum and two new locations at Kazen Middle School and Cuellar Community Center.
The two new locations on the South and West Side have been added for the month of July where free Covid-19 testing is available seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. These locations do not require an appointment and will test up to 300 people per day.
Prioritizing people who have symptoms helps make sure they are tested as soon as possible to then isolate or connect them with a health provider if treatment is needed. At times, the high demand for no cost testing has made it difficult for people with symptoms to be tested expeditiously.
“Taking a Covid-19 test will give you results from a moment in time. A person who has been exposed to the virus needs to quarantine for 14 days from that exposure regardless of a negative Covid-19 test,” said Assistant City Manager Dr. Colleen Bridger. “If you have insurance, please contact your healthcare provider to seek a test. The no cost testing sites are intended to bring access to those who may not have insurance or a primary healthcare provider.”
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In addition, the City of San Antonio has an online self-screening tool that can help a person determine if they should get tested for the coronavirus. This helpful screening tool can be found here. This tool does not replace medical care if a person is feeling ill. A healthcare provider should be visited if symptoms worsen or if underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, lung disease, or heart disease is a factor in the person’s medical history.
Testing location options can be viewed at the Covid-19 portal for the City of San Antonio. It is encouraged to make an appointment at most locations. General information can be obtained by calling the Covid-19 hotline at 210-207-5779. The hotline is operational from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Locations for the free testing sites, which are now only available to individuals experiencing Covid-19 symptoms, are listed below.
Kazen Middle School - 1520 Gillette Blvd. San Antonio, TX 78224
Cuellar Community Center- 5626 San Fernando St. San Antonio, TX 78237
Freeman Coliseum - 3201 E Houston St, San Antonio, TX 78219
As of Sunday evening, the total number of Covid-19 cases in San Antonio has reached 14,751, an increase of 198 cases from Saturday. Mayor Ron Nirenberg took to Twitter to report eight more deaths. This brings the number of virus-related fatalities to 130.
Jade Esteban Estrada is a staff writer at the San Antonio Sentinel, where he covers public health and other citywide issues. He can be reached at jade@sasentinel.com.