The two new testing sites, located at 14531 Westheimer Road, Houston, and 101 W. Southmore Ave., Pasadena, will offer drive-thru testing for up to 200 people per day. Both locations will be open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily, and appointments are reserved for those who exhibit symptoms according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Those interested in making an appointment can first take Walgreens' online assessment by clicking here.
"From the beginning we've said that without adequate testing capacity, fighting COVID-19 is like shooting in the dark," Hidalgo said during the April 17 press conference. "And a cornerstone of our strategy is having that rapid testing, that accessible testing—every step in that direction is big news. And that's why today, I'm proud to announce this partnership with Walgreens. This is a perfect example of government and the private sector working together, and I want to thank Walgreens, of course, and Gov. [Greg] Abbott for his partnership and his leadership on this."
According to Roy Armstrong, Walgreens Gulf Coast Regional Health Care director, the new tests take only 15 minutes to complete with patients receiving results within 24 hours.
"Walgreens is very pleased to be a partner and to help manage this pandemic and get it under control going forward," Armstrong said. "Walgreens is a big part of the community here for 80-plus hears and we welcome the opportunity to do our part, to be on the front lines of this health care crisis. At these locations, Walgreens pharmacists will oversee individuals as they self-administer the test. This test is less-invasive than most tests out there and certainly provides quicker results."
The two new Walgreens testings sites are the first of its kind in Texas, as Walgreens previously only offered coronavirus testing at locations in Illinois, Louisiana, Arizona and Michigan.
"We will continue to work to make [coronavirus testing] available," Hidalgo said. "We hope and trust that private sector supply chains will catch up as the days go by so we can have more and more testing for our region."
Following successful completion of an online assessment, appointments can be made starting April 16. Testing is available at no cost to the individual, Armstrong said.
"Remember, we're still very much in the thick of this, and we need everyone's help getting to continue getting through this crisis because to the extent that we can continue to stay home while we get the testing, while we hit that peak, the peak will come sooner, the hurt to our economy will be less, and we will be able to lift the order sooner," Hidalgo said. "So we continue to need folks to follow the order, to stay home, to bear with us for the sake of our economy, but also for the sake of our parents, our grandparents, and law enforcement and everyone."
