WYLIE (WBAP/KLIF) – Texas communities at a high risk of spreading COVID-19 continue to experience increased testing, as promised by state leaders.
Based on Governor Greg Abbott’s directive to test 100 percent of nursing facility staff and nursing home residents within a community, Wylie Fire Rescue quickly trained fire personnel and partnered with a local facility, Wylie ER, to conduct testing in our long-term care facilities.
Wylie firefighters tested its final nursing home Thursday morning. Staff and residents of Founders Plaza Nursing and Rehabilitation were tested in front of the facility by trained professionals wearing masks and gloves.
“This was all new to us,” said Wylie Fire Chief Brandon Blythe. “But thanks to our partners at Wylie ER we are trained and able to help out as part of the new statewide testing.”
Governor Abbott increased COVID-19 testing Thursday by directing the Texas Health and Human Services Commission to expand COVID-19 testing to all patients, residents, and staff at the 23 state-operated inpatient psychiatric hospitals and living centers throughout Texas.
“By expanding widespread COVID-19 testing to our state hospitals and state supported living centers, we are better equipped to identify and mitigate these potential hot spots and protect our most vulnerable populations,” said Governor Abbott. “I thank HHSC for their ongoing partnership to provide more testing at these facilities across the state.”
HHSC operates 13 state supported living centers that provide 24-hour residential care, medical services, and vocational training for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The agency also operates 10 state hospitals that provide acute inpatient psychiatric care for adults, children and adolescents.
“Many patients and residents in our care are medically fragile and rely on our frontline healthcare heroes for the important care they receive. By expanding testing to everyone in our facilities, we will increase our ability to further protect everyone who lives and works in our facilities and prevent the spread of the virus throughout our system,” said HHS Executive Commissioner Phil Wilson.
The announcement expands testing to all patients, residents and staff to further assess the scope and extent of possible infections at facilities statewide. Previously, residents and patients were tested if they displayed symptoms of COVID-19 or had possible exposure to the virus. The new round of testing will cover those who have shown no signs of COVID-19 or have not been tested within the last 30 days.
HHSC is working with the Texas Department of State Health Services to expand testing for the 4,700 patients and residents as well as 18,000 employees at the SSLCs and state hospitals. Testing kits are already making their way to the facilities and several local health departments have offered their assistance.
According to the Governor, as of May 20, a total of 161 patients and residents have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 107 individuals have recovered from the virus and fewer than 10 residents and/or patients have died. The latest aggregate data on COVID-19 cases at state hospitals and SSLCs can be found here.
Listen to Clayton Neville’s story below:
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