COVID-19 Testing Process Clarified

Tarrant County Public Health clarifies COVID-19 testing process

March 12, 2020 (Tarrant County, TX) - With COVID-19 testing now available at the Tarrant County Public Health (TCPH) lab, department staff today outlined the process involved in testing.

“We emphasize that Tarrant County Public Health does not perform walk-in testing for individuals,” said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “Anyone concerned about COVID-19 and has symptoms, such as a cough, fever, shortness of breath should contact their doctor or health provider and not assume they have COVID-19. Other than one confirmed case, there is no generalized spread of COVID-19 in Tarrant County.

If a person has respiratory issues, Public Health advice is to contact a physician or an urgent care or other medical facility and get tested for the flu or other viral illnesses. “If your doctor or medical professional determines that, based on your symptoms and travel history that a COVID-19 test is needed, specimens will be taken and sent to a lab for testing.”

Taneja noted that commercial labs, such as Quest, Arup and LabCorp are now online and do perform COVID-19 testing at the request of a physician or medical facility.

For more information visit coronavirus.tarrantcounty.com or call the hotline during business hours: 817-248-6299.

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