MEHOP provides COVID-19 testing at our Family Medicine and Pediatric locations in Bay City and Wharton on a regular basis. Our COVID Team also holds special testing and vaccination events during each month.

COVID-19 Vaccines can be scheduled here.

If you or someone in your care believes they have symptoms which may be related to COVID-19, call your medical provider or emergency room facilities first about seeking medical attention. Symptoms may include fever, chills, cough, shortness of breath/difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, sore throat, new loss of taste or smell, congestion or runny nose, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

If you do not have a medical provider and want to access care at MEHOP, please call 979-245-2008 to access services.

Testing/Lab Fees:

These are lab fees only for the PCR COVID test. An office visit may be needed for patient assessment.

  • LabCorp – $50 full price for the PCR COVID test, discounts may apply if uninsured.
  • Patients with insurance, fees will be charged to their insurance carrier.

COVID-19 Case Information

At MEHOP our top priority is protecting the health and safety of our patients, staff, and the communities we serve. We understand that this can be a difficult time, and we are committed to responding to your needs, partnering with other providers and health authorities and staying informed as this evolves in Matagorda and Wharton Counties and across the country.

For current case information for counties served by MEHOP select from the following links.

Matagorda County
Wharton County

For additional information regarding COVID-19, please visit the links below:

https://www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

https://www.dshs.texas.gov/coronavirus/

MEHOP Clinics Are Open

We want to ensure everyone that our clinics are open and will remain open during this time. As of March 16, 2020, we implemented temporary changes to our operations at all MEHOP locations in Bay City and Wharton. These changes are designed to limit the spread of COVID-19 within our communities without reducing access to care. These changes include:

  • There will be a limit of one parent/guardian, or companion per patient unless medical necessity dictates otherwise.
  • All patients, parent/guardian or companion and visitors entering MEHOP locations are subject to immediate screening. All patients, parent/guardian or companion and visitors with a fever of 100.4 or higher will be redirected as appropriate.
  • Visitors are asked to email or call, and refrain from making in person visits to clinics or administration offices.
  • For staff and patient safety, staff will be taking extra precautions by wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). The use of PPE reduces risk of exposure to any infectious disease including COVID-19, Flu, Common Cold, etc.
  • Tele-health and Tele-therapy visits are available.
  • All patients and visitors are required to were a mask while visiting MEHOP clinics and administrative offices.

If You Are Experiencing Symptoms

If you or someone in your care believes they have symptoms which may be related to COVID-19, call your medical provider or emergency room facilities first about seeking medical attention. Walk-in visits are discouraged and may put others at risk. Calling ahead allows your medical provider to help you gain access to the most appropriate care in the fastest, safest way possible. If you do not have a medical provider and want to access care at MEHOP, please call 979 245-2008 to access services.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19

The symptoms are similar to other respiratory illnesses (common cold and flu) and may appear 2-14 days after exposure. They may include:

  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
  • Chills
  • Repeated shaking with chills
  • Muscle pain
  • Headache
  • Sore throat
  • New loss of taste or smell

If you have any of these emergency warning signs* for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately:

  • Trouble breathing
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face

*This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning to you.

What To Do if You Are Sick

  • Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, and who is otherwise healthy and not experiencing a medical emergency, should stay home even if symptoms are mild. If you need to seek medical attention, call your doctor first and tell them you have or may have COVID-19. This will help the office protect themselves and other patients. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, dial 911.
  • Stay away from others. You should stay in a specific “sick room” and away from other people in your home. Use a separate bathroom, if available.
  • Limit contact with pets & animals. Although there have not been reports of pets or other animals becoming sick with COVID-19, it is still recommended that people with the virus limit contact with animals until more information is known. When possible, have another member of your household care for your animals while you are sick. If you must care for your pet or be around animals while you are sick, wash your hands before and after you interact with them.
  • Wear a facemask if you are sick. If the person who is sick is not able to wear one, caregivers should wear one when entering the room of the sick person.
  • Cover your coughs and sneezes.
  • Clean your hands often preferably with soap and water. If not available, hand sanitizer may be used.
  • Avoid sharing personal household items. Example: dishes, drinking glasses, cups, eating utensils, towels, or bedding. After using these items, wash them thoroughly with soap and water.
  • Clean all “high-touch” surfaces every day with household cleaning products.
  • Monitor your symptoms. Seek medical care right away if your illness is worsening (for example, if you have difficulty breathing).

For More Information visit CDC website.

Working Together

MEHOP has always been a firm believer in the importance of partnerships and working with others to improve the health and wellness of our communities. We want our communities to know that MEHOP is working closely with the hospitals and Emergency Operations in Matagorda and Wharton counties, humanitarian organizations, the Texas and National Association of Community Health Centers, along with State and Federal Agencies to do our part in keeping our communities safe, informed and preventing the spread of COVID-19. We are also working closely with lab companies such as LabCorp and CPL and providing testing services in our communities. 

Role of Community Health Centers

Community Health Centers have always played a vital role in providing access to care for millions of Americans in rural and urban communities. Appropriately, MEHOP and other Community Health Centers play a critical role in the nationwide response strategy to the COVID-19 epidemic. Health centers are frontline responders to the spreading virus and are working in partnership with public health departments to screen, monitor and help contain the person-to-person spread of the virus in communities and reduce the burden on overwhelmed hospital emergency rooms.

Community Health Centers are the most direct connection to communities from critical federal programs like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Our National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) is in regular communications with the CDC Coronavirus Response Task Force. They then provide communication to health centers, keeping us up to date on CDC recommendations for our community and providers.

Because health centers are in virtually every community in our country, federal officials have become increasingly reliant on us to respond to public health challenges such as COVID-19.