As the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus spreads, Dallas County authorities have decided testing sites will remain open through January, according to Dr. Philip Huang, Director of Dallas County Health and Human Services.
Hence, the date for the closure of Dallas College’s testing sites at its Richland and Mountain View campuses has now been pushed back. Both sites were initially set to close on Thursday.
“In anticipation of continued demand, they have assured they will offer drive-thru testing through the month of January and reassess,” said Huang. He also noted that the county will soon begin offering COVID-19 testing at Dallas College North Lake campus.
According to FOX 4 News, he also urged people to get tested before visiting their families and friends over the holidays.
Huang suggested an at-home test as an option for families before any gathering during the holiday. He added that he had been in contact with pharmacies in the county who are trying to replenish their supplies of at-home testing kits.
Officials made the decision following the release of the public health committee’s latest testing data that showed the rising COVID-19 positivity rate in Dallas County.
However, the public health committee reported that it had not seen an increase in COVID-related severe illness or any significant impact on the health care system.
However, the committee is worried about the healthcare staffing shortage, with Parkland Hospital having 504 bedside nursing positions open as of December.
According to the DFW Hospital Council, there are approximately eight hundred COVID-19 patients in hospitals in the North Texas region.