Military Department administers COVID-19 testing in Garza County

By Editor | April 30, 2020 |

“I am thankful for the proactive approach the Governor and Texas Department
of Emergency Management is taking to support Garza County.”

An individual enters the COVID-19 drive through testing site set up in the Garza County Courthouse parking lot on April 28, 2020.

On April 20, Governor Greg Abbott announced that the Texas National Guard would be mobilizing more than 1,200 personnel as part of COVID-19 mobile testing teams (MTT).

“The State of Texas continues to expand our COVID-19 testing capacities and ensure that communities across the Lone Star State have access to the resources they need,” Abbott said. “I am grateful for the dedication of our Guardsmen as they continue to serve their fellow Texans throughout the COVID-19 response.”

Being mobilized in various parts of the state, including Garza County, Abbott’s goal is to provide greater access to medical testing. Areas for MTTs were identified by the Texas Department of State Health Services.

“A branch of the Military Department will be in Post on Tuesday, April 28,” County Judge Lee Norman announced on April 23. “I am thankful for the proactive approach the Governor and Texas Department of Emergency Management is taking to support Garza County.”

With Garza County chosen due to location, testing was administered at the Garza County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We encourage anyone with symptoms or that may have had direct exposure to come by to be screened and possibly tested,” Norman posted on Facebook. “The testing is free of charge and provided by the State of Texas. All first responders can be tested if they choose to.”

Conducted via a drive through set up, individuals were asked to remain in their vehicles during the testing.

Individuals who wanted to be tested were screened to determine whether they had any of the following symptoms:

Fever and/or chills
Cough (dry or productive)
Fatigue
Body aches/muscle or joint pain
Shortness of breath
Sore Throat
Headaches
Nausea/Vomiting/Diarrhea
Nasal congestion
Loss of taste and/or smell

If one or more symptoms were present, individuals could receive free testing.

Once tested, individuals were told to self-isolate until notified of results.

However, if you missed testing at the Courthouse this Tuesday, Norman reminds that the Garza County Health Clinic is still providing tests.

“Our Garza County Clinic is available five days a week and will provide tests anytime a patient qualifies,” he said.

Garza County Healthcare District Administrator Brandy Fannon says even those without insurance are welcome for testing at the clinic.

“The clinic is still providing testing and is a certified testing site,” Fannon said. “If you have symptoms you are welcome to make an appointment at the clinic by calling 806-495-2853. If you do not have insurance and cannot afford to come to the clinic but have symptoms, you can still make an appointment and we will work with you.”

The Garza County Healthcare District urges the public to continue practicing social distancing, hand washing and only coming out for essential needs.