HomeMy WebLinkAbout(0002) IR 22-015 - Options.COVID Testing to Local Small BusinessesINFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 22-015
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
February 1, 2022
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: OPTIONS FOR COVID-19 TESTING TO LOCAL SMALL
BUSINESSES
Issue
It is recognized that COVID-19 infection surges create more exposures and a higher demand for COVID-
19 testing. Increased demand for testing can stress traditional COVID-19 testing providers such as
doctors' offices and pharmacies which may temporarily be out of stock with tests or have very limited
appointment availability.
Government funded testing sites work to relieve these temporary system stresses, but do not replace
them on an ongoing basis. Private, non-profit and government testing have been the backbone during the
pandemic; however, the distribution of rapid at-home tests by the federal government will provide a more
convenient option for all residents and businesses.
Local Business Testing Options
During the pandemic, the JEOC has partnered with other agencies to provide additional testing for
business groups/units based on a number of factors including participation, infection rates, risks, critical
staffing, etc. At this juncture, there are a number of widely available testing options:
• Newly available, free rapid tests provided to all residents from the federal government. Residents
can request free test this time: www.covidtests.gov
• Newly announced insurance requirements to cover up to 8 rapid tests per month/per member (in
addition to tests provided by the federal government)
• Widely -available, free rapid testing through private providers throughout the city (street
corners/lots)
• Increased testing participation through county health departments with contracts in place to grow
testing resources with surges
• Testing of children in schools
• Testing widely -available through healthcare, although access can be limited by appointemmnt
requirements.
• Supplental testing by local governments, including Fort Worth, during surges or when other
resources cannot meet demand.
These testing options result in the least waste of unused tests (unexpired tests are available when
needed) and the greatest distribution of tests to the general public, including employees at businesses.
A general/direct allocation of COVID-19 tests by the City to local businesses would be very costly and
would result in greater waste (tests not being used/expiring). As an example, the City's current costs for
PCR/molecular tests is approximately $50 per test, and self-administered rapid antigen tests are
approximately $10 per test. Testing costs are paid upfront, whether materials used or not (just like over-
the-counter rapid tests).
A better, hybrid strategy would be to follow the current practices of providing a COVID-19 hotline to assist
businesses with quick/efficient testing resources, if they are unable to procure tests themselves. This
includes matching business needs with testing partner resources. The city could add an additional feature
where we reserve a reasonable number of rapid and PCR tests for circumstances that would require the
direct distribution of tests to a particular business.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS
No. 22-015
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To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
February 1, 2022
Page 2of2
SUBJECT: OPTIONS FOR COVID-19 TESTING TO LOCAL SMALL
BUSINESSES
The city continues to offer pop-up vaccination sites. While it is never ideal to combine vaccinations with
the testing of sick people (exposures), staff have learned many best practices from these operations and,
if needed, staff could offer pop-up testing at various sites based on business requests on location. This
setup would help to mitigate a waste of tests, and it would allow for proper reporting to occur for results.
Local businesses would be able to submit a request for an event through either a webform or by calling
the City of Fort Worth's COVID-19 hotline. While we could not provide in -home or business calls for all
cirumstances, we can provide assistance for businesses with the greatest need.
The best and most cost-effective option remains to encourage use of existing, free testing sites offered
through the City of Fort Worth and other providers. Any businesses needing support should reach out to
the COVID-19 hotline: (817) 392-8478. Staff have communicated with Fort Worth chambers of commerce
to ensure businesses have access to testing.
Questions on this informal report should be addressed to Brandon Bennett, Code Compliance Director at
817-392-6322.
David Cooke
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER
FORT WORTH, TEXAS