Mass COVID-19 testing shuts down early, new hours provided
An “overwhelming response” in the amount of people getting tested for COVID-19 at the Bert Ogden Arena has led to officials halting testing two hours earlier than planned.
On Tuesday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced they will provide free COVID-19 testing at the Bert Ogden Arena grounds for the public for nearly a week with the capability of testing 5,000 daily.
Testing was set to start Wednesday July, 8 and run through Tuesday, July 14 from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. but will now be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to a news release from Hidalgo County.
“Following an extremely successful first day of mass testing at the Bert Ogden Arena, testing will shut down at 4 p.m. Wednesday — two hours earlier than scheduled due to an overwhelming response,” the county said in the release.
Individuals with scheduled appointments for today between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. are asked to return to the arena at their earliest convenience on Thursday or Friday with vouchers.
Members of the public who wish to get tested are required to pre-register online for on-site testing.
1. Your pre-register link does not work
2. It should be renamed as first come first time, no appt needed due to high demands
3. Registration website allows 1 individual per acct as stated within website but I’m testing three of my kids. I had to create 2 separate email accts just to be able to register them which is absurd. My kids are 8 & 9 they don’t have email accts. 1 acct per family should be allowed to be able to “ add dependents”.
4. The appts were given on different days?? I’m going 1 day 1 time slot like it or not.
5. And testing inside the Arena?? You’re posing for those who are symptom free like myself to contract the virus with greater chance and empirical evidence would show that at least 1/4 of people inside an arena are infected. What happened to drive thru?? So if a kid/adult have symptoms of vomiting?! U want their vomit all over arena floors to impose greater risk?!
6. Poorly coordinated. Day 1 and in line to be turned away. We need better planning going forward to decrease and not increase exposure. We can do this 🙂