El Paso City Council weighs in on COVID testing lines, concerns

EL PASO, Texas– City leaders met Tuesday to get a COVID-19 response update.

Officials said that new cases have increased by 80% daily over the last two weeks.

With that, they said the demand for testing has grown. 

Tommy Gonzalez, city manager, said they planned for the spike and have been proactive in adding more staff and have expanding hours of operation at COVID clinics. 

El Paso Fire Chief Mario D'Agostino said they have addressed traffic issues at particular sites and have other obstacles working against them, like staffing.

He said about 20% of testing staff at COVID sites had been out due to COVID, which has been a big hit to the operation. But he expects there should be more COVID testing staff by Saturday. 

D'Agostino said PCR testing supplies remain well-stocked, although getting a hold of rapid testing has been a challenge due to supply chain issues. 

Still, he said it's important for El Pasoans to get tested.

"We urge all residents to use whatever means they have, whether it's going to a private provider, a clinic, a pharmacy, or whoever offers testing. Get the testing wherever you can as soon as you can," said the Fire Chief.