A healthcare worker organizes the newly administered Covid-19 tests at the United Memorial Medical Center Covid-19 testing site in Houston, Texas on Thursday, June 25, 2020. (Photo by MARK FELIX / AFP / AFP via Getty Images)
FORT WORTH, Texas – People living in Tarrant County can now sign up for a free COVID-19 saliva test.
It will be very similar to the test drive sites we’ve seen so far, but in this case, the staff will collect a saliva sample instead of making a nasal swab.
Those interested should register online for an appointment. Testing begins Tuesday at JP Elder High School in northwest Fort Worth.
Only 300 tests will be administered per day.
And it’s important to note that people do not currently need to have symptoms to get tested.
PLUS: Coronavirus coverage
“That’s the good thing about this, you don’t have to have specific symptoms,” said Fort Worth Fire Chief Jim Davis. “And part of the reason is that we know there is a lot of asymptomatic spread in the community.”
Chief Davis said they expect to have results in 36 hours.
He said rapid change is critical at this time to give a more accurate picture of the extent of community outreach.
Test takers are asked not to eat, drink, smoke, or chew gum 30 minutes before the test.
They are also asked to bring a smartphone with them to help link the test materials to their patient profile.
If they don’t have one, the staff will be there to help.
Bilingual staff will also be available to help.
RELATED: Interactive Map of Texas Cases COVID-19
