Williamson County Judge Bill Gravell said the county has received 1,000 additional coronavirus test kits early April 6 from AIT Laboratories in Denton, Texas. The county initially had 113 kits.
Gravell said Williamson County and Dr. Lori Palazzo, medical director of the Cities Health District, has the authority as to when the kits are used, but the county is prioritizing testing first responders and older residents.
“Today we're going to be able to test our first responders, our doctors and our nurses or anyone that's potentially been exposed that's out there protecting us,” Gravell said.
Each test kit that is sent back to the lab for processing costs $70, AIT Laboratories Director Katie Harris said. Gravell added the county is working to obtain more kits and all other necessary medical supplies to combat the virus.
Gravell added the county has also secured a wing of a Round Rock nursing home dedicated to treating nursing home patients that contract coronavirus. The number of beds was not immediately known.
Gravell added that no one living in a nursing home in Williamson County has tested positive for the coronavirus as of 10 a.m. April 6, but he said he wants to be prepared in case that changes.
“We're working as hard as we can to take care of not only our most valuable population, but our most vulnerable population as well,” he said.
