DALLAS — As the spike in omicron cases continues and quarantine rules change, there’s a lot happening ahead of our junior year of the coronavirus pandemic.
And, honestly, it’s getting a little confusing.
Rapid at-home COVID tests are scarce, and finding test sites isn’t as easy as opening up Google Maps anymore. The Texas Department of State Health Services has an online tool to help find a test.
The lines at the free public testing sites across Dallas and Tarrant counties -- and even the paid private ones -- are growing longer and longer in size by the day.
Starting Jan. 15, you will be reimbursed for a COVID test. The Biden administration announced the change as it looks to lower costs and make testing for the virus more convenient amid rising frustrations.
RELATED: Like JPS in Fort Worth, COVID hospitalizations doubled in less than five days at Parkland Hospital
It's a lot to parse through.
That's why we’ve compiled the below information concerning what we know about the current outlook on testing options -- and, frustratingly, what we still don't.
At-home COVID tests
Many people across North Texas have been rushing to stores like CVS and Walgreens to purchase at-home COVID tests. As the demand rises, though, CVS has publicly said it's limited customers to six at-home testing kits per purchase, while Walgreens is limiting customers to four.
That's just the corporate line, though. Some stores we've been to say they've been limiting test purchases to a single test per customer -- and they're still running out of tests completely and within just a few hours of getting new shipments.
Online ordering more your speed? Amazon says it has the tests in stock -- but, even for Prime members, delivery is expected to take days.
The Texas Hospital Association says if you need a COVID test due to recent exposure or mild symptoms, seek care at a pharmacy, doctor's office, or dedicated testing site. This helps ensure that resources for critical care emergency departments are accessible, the association tweeted.
RELATED: At-home COVID-19 tests are in scarce supply in Texas while public testing sites see a rise in demand
COVID testing sites
With both Dallas and Tarrant counties upgrading the COVID threat back up to "red," many are returning from vacations and holiday trips in search of testing sites.
Officials have ramped up testing efforts by setting up additional testing locations, and federal officials on Jan. 5 said they were set to open COVID-19 sites in six Texas counties, including Dallas and Tarrant. Those site locations have not been released yet.
Here are links to each major county's suggested testing locations, including hours and days of operations:
Dallas County
- Dallas County testing locations:
- Crawford Aquatic Center, 375 S. Prairie Creek Road, Dallas. Monday-Saturday 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. Appointments required.
- Dallas College Mountain View Campus, 4849 W Illinois Ave - Monday-Saturday, 7:30 am.-6 p.m. (Ends Monday, Feb. 28). More info here and appointments are required.
- Dallas College Richland Campus, 12800 Abrams Rd- Monday-Thursday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Ends Monday, Feb. 28). More info here. Appointments are required.
- Dallas College North Lake Campus at 2000 W. Walnut Lane, Irving, Monday - Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments required.
- The Cove Aquatic Center at 3201 Samuell Boulevard in Dallas, Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments only -- click here to schedule or call 469-536-0807.
- Ellis Davis Field House at 9191 S. Polk Street in Dallas, Monday - Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Appointments are required. Click here to make an appointment.
- Fair Park at 2000 Galsford St. Lot 13. (Opens Jan. 12). Sunday - Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments are strongly encouraged.
- Friendship-West Baptist Church. 2020 W. Wheatland Road. Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. No appointment is required.
- Homer B Johnson Stadium, 1029 E. Centerville Road, Garland, 75041. Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are required.
- Mesquite ISD Memorial Stadium, 2500 Memorial Blvd., Mesquite. Sunday - Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are required.
- Samuell Grand Aquatics Center, 3201 Samuell Blvd., Dallas. Monday - Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments are required.
- Thurgood Marshall Rec Center at 5150 Mark Trail Way, Dallas, Monday - Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments required.
- Trinity View Park at 2221 E. State Highway 356, Irving, Monday - Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Appointments required.
Garland
A drive-thru testing location opened at Johnson Stadium, 1029 E. Centerville Road, the city said. The location is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The city says that preregistration is preferred but people can drive up to register. Register online at https://ineedacovid19test.com/Garland_TX_14603.html, by calling 800-635-8611.
The site offers only the PCR test, not the rapid test, the city said. Test results will be ready within 24 to 36 hours. For more information, call 800-635-8611 or email support@TrueNorth.com.
Tarrant County
- Tarrant County
Three testing sites hosted by the City of Fort Worth are open to everyone:
Monday-Friday
TEXRail North Side Station, 3001 Decatur Ave., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesdays
- FWISD Scarborough-Handley Fieldhouse, 6201 Craig St., 8 - 11:30 a.m.
- Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St., 1 - 4:30 p.m.
Thursdays
- FWISD Scarborough-Handley Fieldhouse, 6201 Craig St., 8 - 11:30 a.m.
- Como Community Center, 4660 Horne St., 1 - 4:30 p.m.
- Denton County
- Collin County
CVS provides free testing through its Minute Clinic locations, searchable here. The only problem? Most locations don't seem to have any available appointments for at least a week.
Walmart is offering testing through Quest Diagnostics, and Walgreens also has drive-through testing locations, though limited availability and turnaround delays are likely.
Another option? Finding a local pharmacy that is either offering testing or has at-home tests available. It likely will take some searching around.
Biden’s COVID tests giveaway
President Joe Biden says the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free of charge to people to use at home. But it will still be several more weeks before the kits are available to be shipped.
The administration is still working on details for how the program will work.
The Biden administration says the departments of Defense and Health and Human Services are working on a contract that’s expected to be signed soon.
The first delivery of testing kits is expected in early January. Yet, White House press secretary Jen Psaki says the new government website to request them will not be functional until after the first batch of kits are delivered.
It’s also unclear what at-home tests will be sent to Americans.