The Department of Defense late Friday approved a measure that allows Dallas County Health and Human Services to test for the Ebola virus.

According to a news release, the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of State Health Services provided oversight in the decision.

“This is great news for DCHHS as well as the medical community and the residents of Dallas County,” Zachary Thompson, DCHHS director, said. “We can get a test result from a suspected Ebola patient a lot faster.”

Until now, samples have been sent to Austin for testing.