CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Long lines could be seen wrapped around several COVID-19 testing sites in Corpus Christi Monday.
The line at the YesNoCovid site was at a standstill and overflowing into the parking lot of Sunrise Mall, and the Moore Plaza site had people lined up outside of the door.
Nueces County is seeing a surge in positive cases, with 728 new cases reported over the first two days of 2022. 351 news cases were reported Jan. 1 and 377 new cases were reported Jan.2.
All the testing sites across the city offer different type of tests.
According to Dr. Bird the rapid antigen test is for the presence of the virus.
The PCR test does the same thing, but dr. Bird says the antibody test is different.
"Antibody test is the test that I would say at this point doesn't tell you if you have COVID or not,” said Dr. Bird. “It just tells you if you had COVID before it doesn't necessarily indicate whether presently you have COVID even if you have symptoms because the antibody tests just determines whether you have an elevated antibody level which could've been driven by a previous infection.”
Dr. Bird says the at home tests are rapid as well and he says if you are sick you want to make sure you quarantine and get tested.
Doctors say the PCR test is considered the gold standard that test gives you results within a few days.
According to Bird that test is the most accurate, but if you don't have access to one then a rapid test is a good option.
The Corpus Christi – Nueces County Public Health District will have COVID-19 testing clinics available all week. Testing will be available at the former Christus Spohn Hospital-Memorial, 2606 Hospital Boulevard. Patrons may register at www.cctexas.com/testing for the following dates:
• Monday, Jan. 3 through Friday, Jan. 7 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
At least two area schools districts have pushed back reopening by a week due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, Kingsville and Driscoll ISDs.
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