Lines continue to stay long for COVID-19 testing sites throughout North Texas, especially after Christmas.
Employees working at these sites told Fox 4 News they test an average of 150 to 200 people a day. For the week after Christmas, they are estimating 600 people a day.
On Monday, December 27, SKY4, the helicopter for Fox News, captured a view of cars idling in line in Frisco on Lebanon Road. The same could be seen at the Mountain View Campus of Dallas College, according to Fox 4.
Staff members at COVID-19 testing sites said many people are getting tested because they are either feeling sick after the holiday or seem to be worried about the possibility of being exposed to the virus.
Long lines were forming right before Christmas as well and many people were struggling to find testing sites before visiting with family and friends for the holiday weekend.
According to WFAA, “Workers at the YesNoCovid testing site on East Northwest Highway and Abrams Road in Dallas say the demand for rapid tests and PCR tests has increased about 200% in recent days.”
As testing center lines stretch longer, stores like CVS and Walgreens are also struggling to keep COVID-19 tests on their shelves.
“I don’t think there’s anywhere you can go that will not have a line at this point. I know every single CVS and Walgreens I’ve heard of is sold out of at-home tests. I know every place that takes appointments is out of appointments for the next week. I know every place that takes walk-ups has a three to four-hour line,” said Neighborhood Medical Center’s operations officer Alyssa Mcelya Pajouh. “We could’ve done over 1,000 the last few days if we had the staff to do it. I had to close down because my staff is just exhausted.”
“Pick a line, stick at it. Come with a full tank of gas. Come with some things to entertain yourself and just be patient with us,” Pajouh added. “Just be patient with us. We’re trying the best we can. It’s busy everywhere and everyone’s literally exhausted.”