OKLAHOMA CITY — Governor Kevin Stitt announced Thursday Oklahoma has received roughly 77,000 Abbott Laboratories BinaxNOW rapid point-of-care COVID-19 tests.
The Oklahoma State Department of Health will distribute these tests and equipment to K-12 schools, high-risk health care workers and other vulnerable populations, according to the governor's office.
Distributing rapid point-of-care tests across our state will be incredibly valuable to keep our schools open for in-person instruction while protecting Oklahomans from this virus. These tests will also help us keep our frontline healthcare workers and their families safe as they continue their important mission of caring for the sick and our most vulnerable.
The BinaxNOW COVID-19 test uses nasal swabs and results are provided on-site in 15 minutes or less, officials said. Currently, free COVID-19 testing is available at more than 80 sites across Oklahoma.
“Oklahoma has been on the cutting edge of testing our population for COVID-19 and we are excited to add this test to our arsenal as we combat this disease and keep Oklahomans safe,” said Dr. Lance Frye, Interim Commissioner of Health. “We want the public to know we have plenty of testing capacity, so if you have any fear of exposure, get tested.”
To find testing locations, call 211 or visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health's website.
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