Shortage Of Coronavirus Tests Has State Health Officials, Doctors Concerned

Some encouraging news with COVID-19 testing in Oklahoma.

The State Health Department just received a new shipment of testing kits.

It tells News 9, its started Friday with 500 kits.

The state said it reached a low of 75 kits after 58 were administered to the Utah Jazz Wednesday night following a positive test by a Jazz player.

The State Department of Health said it is still following CDC guidelines when it comes to who gets tested.

However, some things are changing.

"Starting as of today we have been less restrictive,” said State Epidemiologist Dr. Laurence Burnsed.

The state has ordered another 500 kits from the federal government.

But the State Dept of Health is not sure when they will arrive because the shipment is based on priority with other states. 

Local Physician Dr. Noel Williams questions the state’s ability to accurately measure the coronavirus in Oklahoma with the state’s limited testing capacity.

“Since they have a limited number of tests, they aren’t able to use them in terms of best practices,” said Dr. Williams, who said the requirements for a test appear too strict.

Dr. Burnsed said the Department of Health will continue to prioritize people at the greatest risk of having or contracting the coronavirus for testing.