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The mid-week COVID-19 testing at the pavilion in downtown Port Arthur saw 70 individuals, 67 of which are residents of the city.

“I have noticed an increase in the number of our residents being tested,” said Judith Smith, director of the Port Arthur Health Department.

These individuals should receive their results by Saturday.

The free testing was provided by the city of Port Arthur and Jefferson County.

Preregistration was required.

Smith said health officials are working to have more testing sites available.

“The idea is for people to receive the testing free of charge,” she said. “We do know a few of the emergency clinics will provide the testing, but there may be a co-payment along with it for insurance.”

Gulf Coast Health Clinic provides testing, an antibody test and works on a sliding pay scale for those without insurance, and those with insurance may not need to pay the copay, Smith said.

Appointments are required.

More pop-up testing sites are in the early stages, but further information is not available at this time.

On Friday evening, the Southeast Texas Regional Emergency Operations Center reported 57 Port Arthur residents have tested positive for COVID-19 throughout the pandemic, which includes the death of four Port Arthur residents.