COVID-19 Testing Sites Open in Dallas

By Marva J. Sneed
Staff Writer

There was a line of cars already lined up at two testing sites for the opening at 8:00 am at one location on Saturday and another on Sunday. Saturday, cars lined up at the American Airlines Center on a chilly morning. Drivers were instructed to remain in their cars and follow the line.

Sunday, at the second testing location at Ellis Davis Field House 9191 S. Polk St. Dallas, where three white tents had been erected, 50 yards apart. Parkland Mobile Units were next to the testing tent and Dallas City Council member Casey Thomas II was on hand with first responders. Police and Fire officers were on sight directing traffic.

The Councilman said, “I thought it was important for me to be at this location here in Oak Cliff. We wanted to have a location in Southern Dallas County that was convenient for our Seniors, First Responders, DART Drivers, and our Health Professionals who may have symptoms of the coronavirus.”

Randall Payton, with the City of Dallas, explained how the three-step phase for drive-up testing would work. He said: “They are checking the criteria first. That’s going to be the first thing that they do. Cypress Mill will verify that the participant meets the criteria that have been established and then if you meet the criteria you will drive down from the entrance to the registration.

“You will have to provide a photo ID and sign a consent form. And then at that time staff will fill out a patient care report requisition.” Then the testing will begin, said Payton. “The individual will proceed to where we’re standing here which is the actual testing location. Where they are swabbed and are given information about how they’re to receive the test results.

“Additional instructions are provided to them on how they can continue to live their life in the Community with their family if it’s positive or if it’s negative more just situational awareness about coronavirus.” Payton also explained the drive-thru protocol.

He said that a safe structure is needed to perform testing while maintaining separation with the caregiver.“So measures have been established also under federal guidelines and recommendations.” The sites will be open from 8 am-8 pm and able to test up to 5,000 people each day.