A major COVID testing lab is expected to keep open free testing sites in Tulsa and other population centers after the Oklahoma State Department of Health allocated an additional $5.8 million in federal coronavirus relief funding for it late Thursday.
IMMY Labs expected to stop offering free testing because it had run short on state funding amid a testing boom before Thanksgiving.
According to state data, IMMY Labs has run more than 10% of all COVID tests in the state since Nov. 1.
"We are so thankful the state has put a priority on testing all Oklahomans who think they may need a test and will continue to do so through the end of the year," IMMY CEO Sean Bauman said in a statement. "Testing is a critical piece to slowing the spread of COVID-19 and we have been proud to partner with the state of Oklahoma since the beginning of the pandemic to ramp testing capacity and help fight this virus."
The state health department is also looking for funding streams that can support testing into 2021.
There are additional testing options available for Tulsans. The Tulsa Health Department is still doing testing by appointment.
"At this time, our capacity remains strong, and we would encourage anyone seeking testing to go online to our website and you can schedule an appointment from the comfort of your own home or your mobile device. You can also give us a call if you’d like to speak to someone over the phone to get that appointment scheduled," said THD spokesperson Leanne Stephens.
The number is 918-582-WELL. In addition to offering appointment scheduling, THD also maintains a list of testing sites in the county on their website.
"If you are experiencing symptoms, if you have been exposed or if you are just curious about your own status, absolutely seek testing and schedule an appointment to be tested. While you’re waiting for those results, follow the recommendations of public health professionals, and that would be to stay home if you’ve been exposed," Stephens said.
Officials in Norman had discussed giving IMMY additional funding to continue free testing. Those discussions had not happened among city or county officials in Tulsa.
