As COVID-19 cases continue to increase in our state, health systems are once again feeling the burden. In addition to ongoing concerns due to the lack of ICU and inpatient hospital beds, our emergency departments are being inundated with people wanting to be COVID tested without emergent medical needs, when experiencing more mild COVID-like symptoms. While some of these ED visits may be warranted, others are most appropriate for a COVID testing location, allowing emergency departments to conserve resources.
Emergency departments play a critical role in caring for urgent and emergent medical needs, which does include more severe COVID symptoms such as respiratory distress, severe shortness of breath or high and persistent fever. However, we need to reserve the ED’s valuable resources for those who are significantly ill.
Testing continues to be an important part in managing the spread of COVID-19, and INTEGRIS Health encourages testing if people are concerned they may have the virus. Many community testing sites are available, and many offer free PCR as well as rapid antigen tests.
The below are just some of the many testing sites available throughout the state. Visit the links to identify the best testing site for you.
*COVID-19 Testing OKC (testokc.com)
*DLO COVID Testing
*IMMY Labs OKC Metro
*OSDH-IMMY Labs Regional Markets
*OSDH Testing Options by County
