El Paso extends virus testing, moves to online scheduling following ABC-7 report on phone frustrations

EL PASO, Texas — El Paso officials announced plans Thursday to extend free coronavirus testing at various locations around the city and county through mid-July, and said that test appointment scheduling would now be available online via a new website.

The announcement comes a day after ABC-7 reported on significant frustrations with the city's drive-thru testing appointment phone line.

Officials said mobile testing sites being staffed by Texas Guardsmen would continue to operate numerous drive-thru sites, as well as one drive/walk-up site, through July 13.

To make an appointment for testing, El Pasoans can visit this website: https://texas.curativeinc.com/welcome. In addition, officials said a new appointment phone line next week was expected to be up and running next week.

"All of the testing sites will now administer oral swabbing tests, instead of the nasal swabs. Testing is free and available to members of the community with or without Covid-19 symptoms," the City of El Paso said in a statement.

Here's a look at the upcoming testing availability...

Hybrid Drive/Walk-up testing without appointment

• July 3; July 6-11; July 13: Nations Tobin Recreation Center; 8831 Railroad Dr., El Paso, TX
• Available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for patients on foot or in a vehicle. No appointment is needed for the hybrid site; however, once the daily capacity of 250 is met the site will be closed for the day to additional testing.

Drive-Thru testing by appointment in City of El Paso, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

July 3, 5 and 12

• Pavo Real Center; 9301 Alameda, El Paso, Texas
• Marty Robbins Recreation Center; 11620 Vista Del Sol, El Paso, Texas
• Memorial Swimming Pool; 3251 Copper Ave., El Paso, Texas
• Haskins Recreation Center; 7400 High Ridge, El Paso, Texas

July 6, 8, 10 and 13

• Pavo Real Center; 9301 Alameda, El Paso, Texas
• Haskins Recreation Center; 7400 High Ridge, El Paso, Texas

July 7, 9 and 11

• Marty Robbins Recreation Center; 11620 Vista Del Sol, El Paso, Texas
• Memorial Swimming Pool; 3251 Copper Ave., El Paso, Texas

Drive-Thru testing by appointment in El Paso County, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Monday, July 6: Montana Vista Fire Station #1; 13978 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas
• Tuesday, July 7: West Valley Fire Station; 510 Vinton Road, Vinton, Texas
• Wednesday, July 8: Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo; 11200 Santos Sanchez Blvd., Socorro, Texas
• Thursday, July 9: El Paso County ESD #2 District Office; 16001 Socorro Rd., Fabens, Texas
• Friday, July 10: El Paso County ESD #2 Fire Station; 11440 N. Loop, Socorro, Texas
• Saturday, July 11: Montana Vista Fire Station #1; 13978 Montana Ave., El Paso, Texas
• Monday, July 13: Horizon First Baptist Church; 17018 Darrington Road, Horizon City, Texas