HOUSTON – The Houston Health Department and Xpress Covid Testing will open two mega Covid-19 testing sites on Thursday, January 6, further expanding access to meet high demand.
The health department and its partners will operate a total of five mega testing sites by Thursday, in addition to dozens of smaller sites across Houston. At full capacity, the health department’s network of affiliated sites will be able to test approximately 30,000 people each day.
“As the Omicron variant continues to fuel a surge in cases in our City, the Houston Health Department is working quickly to expand access to COVID-19 testing throughout our City,” said Mayor Sylvester Turner. “Every Houstonian deserves to have access to testing, especially those in our most vulnerable communities. As we continue to navigate this crisis, I ask Houstonians to keep each other safe by getting tested, vaccinated, and boosted. We need everyone doing their part to remain healthy and slow the virus from spreading in their homes and places of employment and houses of worship.”
Former Dave & Busters
A mega testing site will open January 6 at the former Dave & Buster’s at 6010 Richmond Ave. in partnership with Xpress Covid Testing. It will have a daily capacity of approximately 1,000 tests.
The site will operate daily in January from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are not required.
Kingwood Community Center
The department and Xpress Covid Testing will open a mega testing site at Kingwood Community Center, 4102 Rustic Woods Dr., on January 6. It will have a daily capacity of approximately 800 tests.
The site will operate daily in January from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Appointments are not required.
Existing Mega Testing Sites
The department partnered with United Memorial Medical Center for a new mega testing site at Butler Stadium, 13755 S Main St. It opened on January 5 with a daily capacity of approximately 1,000 tests. The site operates Mondays through Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are not required.
A mega testing site at Delmar Stadium, 2020 Mangum Rd., opened in partnership with Curative on December 29 with a daily capacity of approximately 1,000 tests. The site requires appointments via Curative.com or 1-888-702-9042. It operates daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A mega testing site at Minute Maid Park Lot C, 510 St. Emanuel St., opened on December 30 in partnership with DAVACO and increased daily capacity to approximately 1,000 tests this week. Appointments are required at mycovidappoitment.com or by calling 833-213-0643. The site operates from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays.
Additional Testing Sites
The health department offers testing at four multi-service centers and a network of dozens of sites affiliated with Curative, United Memorial Medical Center, and Xpress Covid Testing. Sites, schedules, and appointment information are available at HoustonHealth.org or by calling 832-393-4220.
Health department-affiliated testing sites offer viral test that determine if a person is currently infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. These PCR tests are conducted in certified laboratories and may average 48-72 hours for results, based on volume.
“It’s important that we use all available tools to reduce spread and that starts with getting vaccinated and boosted,” said Dr. David Persse, chief medical officer for the City of Houston. “With Omicron being much more contagious than previous strains and causing more breakthrough infections, testing is an important tool to slow the spread.”
Covid-19 vaccinations are available at health department sites across Houston. Locations and schedules can also be found at HoustonHealth.org or by calling 832-393-4220.
Getting tested or vaccinated at health department-affiliated sites is free, and does not require proof of residency, citizenship, or insurance.
Hours of operation are based on each site's daily capacity and may end sooner than scheduled.