El Paso prepares new virus testing programs to help close the gap

EL PASO, Texas -- A series of new plans are being put into place to help increase access to Covid-19 testing for residents in El Paso and surrounding communities.

Deputy Chief Jorge Rodriguez from the El Paso Office of Emergency Management spoke about those new testing programs at length on Monday during the County Commissioners meeting.

He said the new avenues of testing include local schools, private labs and also stores like CVS and Walmart.

The most talked about form of testing in El Paso is the four new drive-thru testing sites that got up and running on Monday after state and local officials worked through the weekend to get them set up.

They are free and available for all residents, both symptomatic and asymptomatic.

Those sites will have windows of operation from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. all this week but those going to get a test are being told to be sure to register for an appointment a day ahead.

“We know that a lot of the virus is spread through asymptotic people and we intend to get those numbers up," said Rodriguez.

The deputy chief was questioned at length, with commissioners curious about some of the specifics including what amount of testing will come from which sources.

“It does not seem like there is a clear way as to how we are going to get there," said Precinct 3 Commissioner Vincent Perez. "We are kind of just saying that these efforts will get us to a point where quadruple the number of people will be tested in six weeks.

Rodriguez also spoke about the arrival of a state run Texas Military Department Mobile Testing Team. That team will be hitting the more rural communities outside of the city of El Paso including Socorro, Vinton, Fabens, San Elizario, and Horizon.

There has also been a step forward regarding antibody testing.

Quest Diagnostics Labs is stepping in to help and will be helping El Paso by testing "priority populations." Those include emergency responders and medical personnel.

The first round of priority population testing is expected to cover 5,000 people.