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By Dawn Burleigh

There is a moment of sheer panic when one discovers someone they know, spoke with or saw has tested positive for COVID-19. Next, start calculating the number of people one sees in a normal day and then in an ‘errands’ day. The number can be overwhelming. But wait, add in the number of people one knows with immune disorders such as undergoing cancer treatment, have rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, or caregiver to an elderly family member. The number can quickly become staggering.

There are numerous locations to get tested as well as military mobile testing sites.

Test results can take three -seven days, depending on the number of tests given on that particular day.

A mobile testing site will also be held in Orange on Wednesday, July 16 and Thursday, July 16, form 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Orange County Convention and Expo Center located at 11475 FM 1442 in Orange.

Anyone is eligible for testing and no pre-registration is required. They will have to register when they get there.

Stand-alone emergency centers throughout the area are providing testing by appointment only. The cost of the test varies by insurance where some policies will cover the cost and some require a deductible.

One may also contact their primary care physician for testing as well.

CVS offers testing but one must visit the website, https://cvshealth.com/covid-19/testing-locations, and enter in your zip code to find the nearest available location with open appointment slots. Results are in five to seven days.

Other testing sites in Orange includes TAN. It is by appointment only and one must go the website at https://www.tanhealthcare.org/covid-19/ scroll down to the Click Here button to select a Pre-Register button. Results can take four to six days.

Exceptional Emergency Care and Golden Triangle Emergency Center also offer testing by appointment only.

In MidCounty/Port Arthur area, Quest Diagnostic, 2501 Jimmy Johnson Blvd, Port Arthur at 886-MYQUEST offers the test. Results in three to eight days.

Exceptional Emergency Center in MidCounty offers rapid testing but one must call to get an appointment. Next day openings available at 1 p.m. each day by calling 409-722-9554.

In Beaumont, Med Express offers testing at 3565 College Street by appointment only. Call 409-813-8189 for an available appointment.

Beaumont Emergency Center in Beaumont offers rapid testing only to those with symptoms. One must register online at https://beaumontemergencycenter.com/covid-19-information/covid-19-testing-info/test-registration/. Once registered, there can be up to a 12 hour wait time before one is contacted to head to the location for the test. Once the test is completed, you get a call back in an hour with your results.

MD Kids Pediatrics at 490 I-10 North in Beaumont, also offers rapid testing for adults by appointment only. Call 409-212-9988

Most tests are a nasal swab in each nostril. It is slightly more uncomfortable than the flu test.

However, even if one’s test returns negative and they had symptoms warranting a test, they are still told to quarantine until at least three days after the last symptoms disappears.

Anyone who has taken a test is to assume they are positive until the results return.

Signs of COVID-19 are:

• Fever and/or chills
• Cough (dry or productive)
• Fatigue
• Body aches/muscle or joint pain
• Shortness of breath
• Sore throat
• Headaches
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Nasal congestion
• Loss of taste and/or smell