Houston Coronavirus Testing: Find Testing Locations Near You

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It’s taken some time, but Houston is finally starting to receive testing kits to screen the community for Coronavirus. 

Coronavirus is a serious respiratory illness that can be easily spread from person to person. For this reason, it’s important to first stop the spread of the virus and then provide treatment to those individuals who are affected. 

If you feel that you could be infected with Coronavirus you should definitely seek places for testing. In this article, I will provide you with locations in Houston that offer Coronavirus testing. 

Before listing the Houston Coranavirus testing locations, let’s do a quick review of the basics of Coronavirus. 

Basics Of Coronavirus

As aforementioned Coronavirus is a respiratory illness that is highly infectious. 

How Is Coronavirus Spread?

The virus is spread from person to person mainly through droplets that come from an infected person sneezing or coughing in the direction of others. Coronavirus can also be spread via germs landing on keyboards, door handles, faucets and other high traffic places that multiple people touch on a consistent basis.  For this reason, it’s extremely important to wash your hands often. 

What Are The Symptoms Of Coronavirus?

According to the CDC, the symptoms of Coronavirus can include: 

• Fever
• Coughing
• Shortness of breath

These symptoms can appear anywhere from 2 to 14 days after exposure. 

If you feel that you are having a medical emergency (i.e. difficulty breathing) you should call 911 or visit the nearest ER. While this may not be possible during an emergency, you are encouraged to contact the ER prior to visiting so that arrangements can be made and there is no further spread of the virus. Hospitals and ambulance workers can take precautions to protect themselves and others if you can inform them of your condition.  

Again if you are having a medical emergency and cannot provide this information upfront you can disregard calling first. Just do what you need to do to seek treatment as fast as possible. 

Note: For more information regarding those most at risk and 10 ways to protect yourself from the virus read our article titled How To Understand And Find Resources For Coronavirus In Houston.

What Happens During A  Coronavirus Test? 

Many of the Houston area sites will test you in a “drive-thru” process. You simply pull up in your car (or possibly walk-up) and they will perform the following process: 

1.  You will be swabbed.  Coronavirus testing can be done by collecting a sample (via q-tip)  from your nose or the back of your throat. While it may be uncomfortable having to collect the sample this way if you are calm they can complete the process in less than 10 seconds. 
2. Sample is sent to a lab. Your sample will be placed into a sterile tube or vial and then sent to a lab for testing. 
3. Your sample will be tested at the lab. 
4. Wait for your Coronavirus test results. Test results can be given to you in less than 24 hours. 

Where To Go For Houston Coronavirus Testing?

Currently, Legacy Clinic, My Family Doctor Clinic and United Memorial Medical Center are providing Coronavirus testing in Houston.

Below you will find a map of locations that provide the testing. You are encouraged to contact these clinics prior to visiting due to the potential of a limited supply of testing kits. 

1. My Family Doctor Clinic Coroanvirus Testing In Houston

My Family Doctor is currently providing Coronavirus testing at their SW Houston clinic. 

This clinic is a private practice that does not receive any government funding which is why they cannot offer free testing.  My Family Doctor charges $150 for the Coronavirus test. If you have insurance it should cover the cost. You should speak to your current PCP or My Family Doctor Clinic for clarification on insurance payments. 

Note: Medicare should cover the cost of Coronavirus testing in Houston.  

Testing will begin March 16th and be offered via drive-thru Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.  You are encouraged to contact My Family Doctor Clinic, because testing supplies may be limited. 

To get your Coronavirus test at this Houston clinic visit them at 6430 Hillcroft Ave, Houston, TX 77081. You can call them at 832.709.1515 or have all your questions answered by visiting Covid19DriveThru.com. 

2. Legacy Clinic Coroanvirus Testing In Houston

Update: This site is only testing current Legacy Community Health Clients for Coronavirus. 

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Legacy Clinic is another option for Houston Coronavirus testing. 

At Legacy Clinic the screening is free, however, individuals who need the testing will be billed on a “sliding scale“. 

Note: The sliding scale is a popular form of payment that is used for people without insurance. The cost of services is determined by your income…whatever it may be. 

Legacy will bill your insurance companies if you are insured. 

The 3 Legacy locations that are providing Houston Coronavirus testing are: 

• 5th Ward Clinic – 3811 Lyons Ave. 
• Montrose Clinic – 1415 California St. 
• Southwest Clinic – 6441 High Star Dr. 

If you have questions about Coronavirus testing at Legacy Clinic call 832.548.5226. 

3. United Memorial Medical Center Coronavirus Testing In Houston

United Memorial Medical Center is offering Coronavirus testing in north Houston. 

Testing here is free and offered to you IF you have symptoms. 

Testing will take place Monday through Friday between 8 am to 8 pm. 

United Memorial Medical Center is located at 510 West Tidwell.

For more information contact United Memorial Medical Center at 866.333.COVID. 

4. MD Anderson Coronavirus Testing In Houston

This Coronavirus testing site is limited to individuals who either work at MD Anderson or their patients. 

Testing is done at the Diagnostic Imaging Clinic in Bellaire and done by appointments only. To be tested you also must meet screening requirements. 

For more information about this testing, option call the Diagnostic Imaging Clinic at 713.218.8310. 

5. City of Houston Coronavirus Testing 

UPDATE:  As of April 13th, City of Houston Coronavirus testing sites will provide testing to anyone wanting it. They will also begin testing 500 patients per day. To get tested you still need to call the Coronavirus Call Center at 832.393.4220 to obtain a unique ID and instructions on where to go for testing. If you are 55 and older and transportation is a problem you can call the same 832.393.4220 number and ask for help getting to a testing site. 

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The City of Houston is offering free Coronavirus testing at 2 sites. 

For testing, you need to call the Houston Health Department Coronavirus call center at 832.393.4220 between 9 am and 3 pm.

They will provide you with an ID code and instructions on where to go for testing.  You must have an ID code to be tested through the City of Houston Coronavirus testing sites. 

While testing is now available to anyone, the City of Houston Health Department is still encouraging individuals who have a cough, problems breathing and fever to call the call center. Also, people with chronic conditions like heart disease, asthma, lung disease, cancer, HIV/AIDS and pregnant women are eligible for testing. 

City of Houston Walk-Up Testing

The City of Houston is offering limited time walk-up testing at a number of sites including: 

• Hiram Clarke MSC – 3810 W. Fuqua, Houston, TX 77045 – May 5th through May 9th 
• 3rd Ward MSC – 3611 Ennis Street, Houston, TX 77004 – May 12th through May 16th

Free testing is being offered at the sites above to anyone via drive-thru or walk-up. 

Tests will take place from 10 am to 2 pm.  Because testing is limited you are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.  

6.  Harris County Coronavirus Testing At ReadyHarris.org

For Coronavirus testing, through Harris County Public Health you will need to either visit the ReadyHarris.org website or call them at 832.927.7575. 

The way their process works is: 

1. You will complete an online screening (4-5 questions) to see if you are “at-risk”.  If you are at risk you’ll be given an ID and phone number to call. 
2. You will have a phone consultation where they will ask more questions about your condition. If they determine that you are “at-risk” of having Coronavirus they will provide you with information on where you can go to get testing. 
3. You will visit your testing site to be screened. 

To receive testing you must go through this process. Harris County Public Health will not be able to screen anyone who has not gone through the enrollment process either online or by phone at 832.927.7575.

7. EverlyWell (at-home Coronavirus testing kit)

If you cannot make it to a Coronavirus testing site in Houston, consider taking the test at home. 

On March 23rd the company EverlyWell will offer at-home Coronavirus testing. 

Note: Everlywell is a company that specializes in at-home testing for things like food sensitivity, metabolism, thyroid and now Coronavirus. 

The EverlyWell Coronavirus test will cost $135. If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account those funds could cover the cost of testing. 

Anyone who receives a positive result will be offered a telehealth consult with a physician. 

Again these EverlyWell Coronavirus tests will become available on March 23rd. For more information visit their website or call them at 855.422.3855. 

8. Next Level Urgent Care Coronavirus Testing In Houston

Next Level Urgent Care can offer Coronavirus testing to individuals who are at high risk. 

Their criteria for high risk include: 

• People older than 65
• Anyone with chronic conditions like heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, asthma, HIV, etc
• Healthcare  workers who may have been exposed to Coronavirus

If you have flu symptoms you can make a virtual appointment with Next Level by going here. RIGHT NOW it’s important to call Next Level (or any other clinic) before visiting if you feel sick so that they can screen you and prepare for your arrival. This is done to prevent community spread of Coronavirus in Houston. 

For more information about Next Level Urgent Care Coronavirus testing visit their website or call any of their locations. 

9. DetectaChem Smartphone testing for Coronavirus

DetectaChem is a Sugar Land company that is working to produce smartphone Coronavirus tests. 

There is no release date yet for this coronavirus test, although you can visit their website and enter your contact information to receive updates. You can also contact DetectaChem at 855.5.SEEKER or email them at info@detectachem.com. 

10. Coronavirus Testing in Sugar Land (Smart Financial Centre)

United Memorial Medical Center will operate a free drive-thru testing site at Sugar Land’s Smart Financial Centre. 

This site is open to the public. There is no online registration, instead, you must visit the Smart Financial Centre and be screened to see if you need testing. 

The test result will be available to you from 4 to 24 hours. 

Testing will take place from Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The address to Smart Financial is 18111 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land. 

For more information contact United Memorial Medical Center at 866.333.COVID. 

11. Walgreens Drive-Thru Coronavirus Testing In Houston

Currently, there are 2 Walgreens Coroanvirus testing sites in Houston. 

• 14531 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX  – 832.379.0541
• 101 W. Southmore Ave Pasadena, TX 77502 – 713.472.0166

These Walgreens stores can test up to 200 people per day and the hours are 9 am to 5 pm, 7 days a week. These tests are free for people who meet the criteria for CDC testing. You will get your results in 24 hours.  

This is a drive-thru testing site therefore they do not accept walk-ups. 

To get tested at these sites you must first complete a digital assessment and then you will receive an appointment.

12. Life Savers Emergency Room 

Life Savers Emergency Room is located in the Heights and providing Coronavirus testing to the insured and uninsured. 

According to their website, most major insurances cover the cost of Coronavirus testing, making it free for you. If you are uninsured the costs are $99 if you are showing symptoms and $150 if you are asymptomatic. 

Testing is offered at this location Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm, but you are encouraged to arrive as early as possible due to limited supplies. 

For more information call Life Savers ER at 281.612.1546 or visit them at 3820 N. Shepherd Drive Suite A, Houston, TX 77018. 

13. Cullen Middle School Coronavirus Testing

I saw this option on Fox 26 and don’t have much information aside from Congresswoman Shelia Lee Jackson organizing it. This could be a viable option for those seeking Coronavirus testing in 3rd Ward Houston. 

This MAY be a free testing site since many of her other locations set up by the Congresswomen (Sugar Land, UMC) were free. 

The operating hours are Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm. The address to Cullen Middle School is 6900 Scott Street. 

For more information contact United Memorial Medical Center at 866.333.COVID. 

14. IBN Sina Coronavirus Testing In Houston

IBN Sina’s Wilcrest location offers COVID-19 testing for both insured and uninsured. 

Tests are $90 for individuals that are uninsured. 

For more information visit the IBN Sina website or call them at 281.977.7462. Their clinic is located at 11226 S. Wilcrest Dr, Houston, TX 77099 but please call before visiting if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

15. Vecino Healthcare Testing For COVID-19 In Houston

The Vecino Clinics in NE Houston are offering “outdoor screening”  for COVD-19. 

To qualify you should exhibit the typical symptoms of COVID-19 which include: 

• Fever 
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

If you are experiencing these symptoms you can call either of these Vecino Clinics: 

• Airline Children’s Clinic – 5808 Airline Drive, Houston, TX – 713.695.4013
• Denver Harbor Clinic – 424 Hahlo Street, Houston, TX – 713.674.3326

Note: If you have symptoms of Coronavirus, please contact these clinics prior to showing up. The staff will need to prepare for your arrival to protect themselves and other patients. 

Most private insurance plans, Medicaid, and Medicare cover the cost of testing for Coronavirus testing. If you are uninsured Vecino Clinics will bill you based on your income. 

16. Barnett Sports Complex (United Memorial Medical Center)

If you are in SE Houston you can now get free testing for Coronavirus at the Barnett Sports Complex. 

This is a drive-thru site and you do not need to have symptoms. 

This site is open daily from 9 am to 4 pm. The address is 6800 Fairway Drive. 

For more information contact United Memorial Medical Center at 866.333.COVID. 

 

Conclusion

The main thing these testing sites have in common is you must show symptoms of Coronavirus or have a doctor’s order. Without those things, you may not be tested. 

The reason these locations require this is due to the limited supply of the actual Coronavirus tests and things like masks and gloves to protect the healthcare workers. 

As more Houston Coronavirus testing sites become available we will add them to this list. Until those testing sites become available keep these things in mind to protect you and your family: 

• (If possible) hunker down in your house to avoid large crowds
• Wash and apply hand sanitizer often
• Lysol your work or home
• If you feel sick try to call your doctor or the emergency room prior to visiting to give the workers a chance to prepare for your arrival. If you are unable to do this (it’s understandable) just seek medical help as fast as you can
• Contact Houston Coronavirus Call Center at 832.393.4220 with you Coronavirus questions
• Call the Nurse Health Line at 713.338.7979 if you have a medical question because this line is staffed by nurses.