Arlington Fire Department Completed COVID-19 Testing at Nursing Facilities, Assists City of Crowley
By Susan Schrock, Office of Communication
Posted on May 22, 2020, May 22, 2020

Arlington Fire Department conducts COVID-19 testing in Crowley on May 22, 2020.
The Arlington Fire Department, having completed state-mandated COVID-19 testing in all licensed nursing facilities in our city limits, assisted the City of Crowley on Friday with testing of nursing facility staff and residents in its community.

Testing of one of the state’s largest at-risk population clusters is part of Gov. Greg Abbott’s Report to Reopen Texas during the coronavirus pandemic. On May 11, Abbott directed that 100 percent of staff and residents in Texas nursing facilities be tested for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in accordance with White House guidance. Texas has 1,223 nursing homes, which when combined, have a population of residents and staff close to 250,000.

The Arlington Fire Department, which successfully completed its testing of Arlington nursing facilities on Thursday, May 21, was asked if it could assist the smaller community of Crowley with its required testing by Tarrant County Public Health officials. Arlington firefighters conducted testing at one Crowley nursing facility on Friday, May 22.

“We are happy to assist our partners at Tarrant County Public Health to ensure all of Tarrant County is appropriately tested. Our firefighters, who are capable, willing and well trained, are prepared to assist in the fight against COVID-19 in other jurisdictions as necessary,” Fire Chief Don Crowson said.

Costs associated with the required COVID-19 testing, overseen by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, is covered by the state. Results were reported to state and local health authorities.

For more information about the City of Arlington’s response to COVID-19, please visit www.arlingtontx.gov/coronavirus.

Arlington Fire Department performs COVID-19 testing in Crowley.
Coronavirus
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