City of Amarillo gives update on strike force testing

AMARILLO, Texas (KAMR/KCIT) — Friday at the city COVID-19 briefing, the city discussed the strike force and how the CDC and Texas National Guard are working together to help test and recommend how to combat the coronavirus in the area.

Officials said the strike force has tested up to 4,000 people over the past week and will finish testing on Monday. They will then evaluate if they will remain in the city after then.

“We are currently just evaluating other areas of need while they are here. Do we have other areas, that’s a fluid situation and we are analyzing that right now, so it’s possible they could extend their stay,” said Mayor Ginger Nelson.

The tests are being flown to Galveston to have them quickly screened and to get the results back with a quick turn around time.

“Generally there is a 48-hour turnaround. We are working with the State Health Department processing all of that and they will turn around those test results as quick as they can,” said Casie Stoughton, Director of the Amarillo Health Department.

The city said the test results should be here very soon.

Mayor Nelson said that getting the data from these test results and using that towards a strategy to beat COVID-19 is important.

Dr.Scott Milton, the Amarillo Health Authority, said the numbers at the Clements Unit have remained stable and they are testing and doing treatment internally. He also added that that ventilator use at both hospitals is 50% or less and there is no need for ventilators from outside the community.