Texarkana COVID Spike Spurs Bowie County FREE Testing Return
COVID 19 cases are continuing to increase across Bowie County, Texarkana all over the Ark-La-Tex. Hospitalizations due to COVID are high, and resources are to care for COVID patients are still critically low according to the Press Release from the Bowie County Joint Operations Center. While local officials continue to monitor case counts and stay updated on CDC guidelines, individuals are encouraged to follow the advice of their primary care physician and stay current on recommendations from the CDC for ways to stay healthy: cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.
Due to the current situation, free COVID-19 testing will return to the Texarkana-Bowie County Family Health Center as of this Friday, August 27 from 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are accepted, or individuals can preregister at allamericantesting.com. For more information, call (214) 556-8088.
“It is imperative, now more than ever, that the residents of Bowie County and the Texarkana region seek out a COVID vaccine,” Local Health Authority Dr. Matt Young said. “We are seeing sick patients come through the clinic and emergency rooms at an alarming rate, and most of them are unvaccinated. This new Delta variant is moving quickly through our area and affecting younger populations more acutely. Now is the time to remain vigilant and keep fighting this disease.”
According to the Texas DSHS website, only 31.31% of individuals over the age of 12 in Bowie County are fully vaccinated, but 38.51% have received at least one dose. That number has improved significantly over the last month. However, compared to the state of Texas, Bowie County is still significantly behind the overall 55.72% of all Texans over the age of 12 who are fully vaccinated.
CHRISTUS St. Michael Health System will provide free, single-dose COVID-19 vaccinations to anyone age 18 or older via the Spirit of St. Michael Mobile Unit staff. The Spirit of St. Michael staff can schedule visits to businesses/industry sites and can also provide home visits for those unable to travel. For additional information, or to schedule a site visit, contact the Spirit of St. Michael at 903-748-8573 for information or any questions.