Tyler 1 of 10 Test Cities for Coronavirus

TYLER — Gov. Abbott briefed Texans on Thursday about the state’s abilities to test for the Coronavirus and how the state is preparing to deal with testing. According to our news partner KETK, Governor Abbot said Tyler will be one of ten cities across the state to allow for testing of the coronavirus by the end of the month. The testing is done by public health labs that are a part of the Laboratory Response Network.

The others are located in:
Lubbock
Fort Worth
Dallas
El Paso
Houston
Austin
San Antonio
Corpus Christi
Harlingen

Abbott said that half of those ten sites are ready to give coronavirus test. They are in Houston, El Paso, Lubbock, Fort Worth, and Dallas. Tyler and the other four will not be available to perform a test until the end of the month as it is still awaiting certification. Once all ten sites are operational, they will be able to test a combined 125 people a day. On Wednesday, Texas had its first positive test for the coronavirus from a citizen of the state that was not already in quarantine after being evacuated from China. It was a resident of Fort Bend County who had recently traveled abroad and is currently in the hospital. Officials identified the victim as a man in his 70s.