COVID-19 Is Resurfacing In Austin. These are some places where you can get tested.

Read this story in Spanish

Some COVID-19 drive-through testing sites have been scaled back or closed in recent months as cases have dropped and vaccines have been administered. However, infections have increased with the spread of the delta variant and declining immunization rates. Travis County has reported an average of 330 new infections per day — a number not seen since February.

Regardless of whether or not you have been vaccinated, health officials have called for anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, fever, loss of smell or taste, to name a few) to get tested.

Where can you go to get tested for COVID in Austin? We share some options.

Remember: You don't need health insurance to get a free test at public health agencies, like Austin Public Health (APH). If you have a private provider, such as a pharmacy or doctor, your health insurance may be able to cover the cost of the test.

Some of the following links only have information in English. If you don't speak the language, ask someone to help you translate.

Austin Public Health Department

Austin Public Health has two locations to get tested:

On occasion, the hours and location of site operations may change, but you can find the latest information in English here . You do not need to make an appointment to get the test, but APH recommends making an appointment to save time and make sure tests are available. You can schedule a test here or call 311 or 512-974-2000. All APH tests are free.

If you have mobility or transportation problems, there is also the option of having health workers come to your home to administer an in-home test. To sign up, call 512-972-5560. The service is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Walgreen's

These pharmacies offer drive-up COVID-19 testing at multiple locations in Austin. You need to provide some information online and make an appointment. You can do that here (in English).

CVS

These pharmacies offer testing at various locations within Austin. You will have to answer some questions online and schedule the test. You can do that here .

Austin Regional Clinic

The Austin Regional Clinic (ARC) has testing locations in Cedar Park, Round Rock, Kyle, and West, South, and Southwest Austin. It is necessary to make an appointment in advance, and depending on your situation, it will be necessary to make a telemedicine appointment first. You can find the schedules and more information here (in English).

healing

This testing provider has two locations in Austin and multiple locations in Williamson and Hays counties. (Both Williamson and Hays counties are partnering with Curative to make testing public and free.)

Offers drive-thru, kiosk, and roaming testing. You can schedule an appointment online here (available in Spanish).

Tarrytown Pharmacy

This pharmacy offers multiple testing options. You can make an appointment here (in English).

CommUnityCare

CommUnityCare, a chain of federally approved health centers seeking to serve uninsured clients, closed its community testing sites in April to focus on the vaccination campaign. However, CommUnityCare clients can get tested at most of their clinics after making an appointment. Established patients can call 512-9780-9015 or use MyChart .

UT Health Austin

UT Health offers drive-up testing by appointment. You can call 1-833-UT-CARES for more information, or if you are a UT Health Austin patient, you can schedule an appointment through their client web portal . You can find more information here .

Williamson County and Cities Health District

The Williamson County Public Health Department is collaborating with Curative to provide free public COVID-19 testing. They offer oral self-administered tests. You can find more information and sign up here .

Hays County Health Department

The Hays County Public Health Department is also partnering with Curative to offer free testing. You do not need to have health insurance to get a test. Learn more about it and sign up for an appointment here .

More Texas Department of State Health Services locations

The Texas Department of State Health Services provides a map of locations in the state where COVID-19 testing is taking place here .

Health officials recommend that you get vaccinated against COVID-19 (you can also do it for free) to protect yourself against the virus. If you haven't been vaccinated yet, all of the listed providers offer immunizations.

Do you have a news tip? Email Marisa Charpentier at mcharpentier@kut.org. You can also follow her on Twitter at @marisacharp .

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Translated by Sebastián González de León.