HOUSTON – A shortage of personal protective equipment in Houston could bring coronavirus testing to a halt until a new shipment is received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said Wednesday that officials are reluctant to open a second drive-thru testing site until the supply chain of PPE from the federal government is more reliable.

Dr. David Persse, of the Houston Health Department, said the current city testing site can process about 250 tests per day, and they have been averaging about 225 tests per day since the site opened last week.

“We’re looking good for today,” Persse said. “By opening a second site, we’re concerned that would dilute our resources.”

Persse said people have been donating things like masks and gowns to ease the shortage.

“That has helped us bridge the gap between what FEMA has supplied and kept us going,” Persse said.

Both Turner and Persse said two testing sites are open in the county, and the city plans to open a second when the supplies become available.

“Once the supply chain issue from FEMA gets squared away and it’s more reliable, we’ll then consider going to our second site,” Persse said.

People must be prescreened before going to a testing site. Walk-ups are not allowed.

More of our coronavirus coverage

FIND ALL OF OUR COVERAGE: See everything you need to know about coronavirus on our special page.

LOCAL CASES: See all the latest local coronavirus updates in our blog

TOTAL CASES: Keep track as new coronavirus cases are reported in counties in the Houston area

TEXAS: Here’s everything you need to know about the coronavirus in Texas

MAPPED: See a Johns Hopkins interactive map that shows how coronavirus has spread through the world

DEATHS: Here’s what we know about the 100 people who’ve died in the US from coronavirus

HOW TO HELP: How to help Houstonians in need during the coronavirus outbreak

STORYTIME: Watch KPRC 2 Anchors read children’s books as part of a new storytime feature for Houston kids and families