Latest COVID-19 stats in The Rio Grande Valley
On Thursday, Hidalgo County reported 15 new positive cases bringing the total number of currently active cases to 200. The county did not report any COVID-19 related deaths.
On Wednesday, Cameron County reported 4 new positive cases bringing the total number of currently reported active cases to 22,757. The county did not report any COVID-19 related deaths.
Texas DSHS reported that 1,088,064 Rio Grande Valley residents have been fully vaccinated as of Thursday. This represents 79% of the population of the region.
RGV Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Infusion Centers
Texas COVID-19 Therapeutics Availability Map
Monoclonal antibody therapy, administered as an intravenous infusion, helps to prevent the most severe symptoms of COVID-19 infection. The therapy has helped reduce the number of hospitalizations and deaths due to the virus.
Click the link or map above to open the Texas COVID-19 Therapeutics Availability Map where you can search for an antibody therapy infusion center in the Rio Grande Valley. Supply levels may change from day to day so it's a good idea to contact your nearest therapy center.
COVID Testing
Free testing at national chain clinics
Like all other testing in the region, you may find few appointments and long wait times for COVID tests at national chain clinics with some locations out of supplies for 2 to 3 days.
You can get a free drive-through PCR test at many CVS Minute Clinics in the region by taking a short online assessment and making an appointment by visiting this link: https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing
You can get a free drive-through rapid or PCR test at many Walgreens Pharmacies in the region by taking a short online assessment and making an appointment by visiting this link: https://www.walgreens.com/findcare/covid19/testing
Free in-clinic PCR tests are also available through Quest Diagnostics at participating Walmarts. Quest is currently reporting longer than usual test result wait times up to 4 days. However, patients are often able to get same-day appointments here. You can make an appointment by visiting this link: https://patient.questdiagnostics.com/no-cost-covid-test
At-home testing
For individuals who are unable to travel, at-home PCR tests serviced via FedEX are available for purchase from Quest Direct here: https://questdirect.questdiagnostics.com/ At-home PCR tests can be expensive and may take several more days for test results.
Latest COVID-19 headlines on Texas Public Radio
Community Labs ends school COVID-19 testing program
Community Labs President Sal Webber said the program was funded through a purchase order agreement with the Texas Division of Emergency Management, and the agreement ended at the end of March.
Another booster? A vaccine for omicron? Here's what could be next for COVID vaccines
Federal health officials are convening with outside advisers April 6 to talk about a vaccine plan, whether that's another booster in the fall, an omicron shot or one that targets more than one strain.
New study shows Black cancer patients fared worse with COVID-19
Black cancer patients fare worse with COVID-19, according to the results of a new nationwide study.
It's safe to unmask in many places, says the CDC. These experts aren't quite ready
Doctors and health researchers are looking to testing rates, case rates – and intuition – to determine when they'll feel comfortable mingling maskless indoors.
