1st generation COVID testing available here

By Lynsi Musselman

Shackelford County has remained at zero for the number of positive -COVID-19 cases, but residents feeling sick can still take precautions set by government restrictions and use a local resource for testing.

Both ResourceCare and the Shackelford County Health Clinic continue to test people with symptoms, including an eighth patient tested earlier this week.

Anyone who has symptoms of COVID-19 needs to call ahead to determine how to set up their appointment.

Shackelford County Hospital District administrator Jera Fairley explained that the test provided locally is a throat and nasal swab sent to  LabCorp or Quest Diagnostics in Abilene. 

“The swab test has been taking seven to 14 days to get results, but with the more tests we send, we hope this time frame will get faster,” Fairley said. “Hendrick Hospital in Abilene has received the rapid test that takes far less time, but it is reserved for the more severe cases.”  

Fairley said the test results are updated and sent to the county judge and mayor each Monday. If a positive test is received, she will notify these officials immediately.

According to an article published in USA Today by Melanie Anzidei, a new saliva test has been developed by Rutgers University. This test could potentially accelerate the rate of collections and limit health care workers’ exposure. 

Federal emergency approval was received over the weekend, and officials expect to begin rolling it out as soon as this week.

The health clinics are still providing all services from sick visits, follow-up, on chronic medical conditions, physicals, lab draws, injections, and X-ray and lab work. All visits are either on-site, via telehealth, or by virtual phone calls.

To contact Resource Care, call 325-762-2447. Call the Shackelford County Health Clinic at 325-762-3661. No walk-in appointments are available at this time.

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