TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Health Department says currently, there are only around 350 coronavirus test kits available for Oklahoma, which has a population of approximately four million people.
Each kit can test up to 500 people, meaning right now, close to 175,000 can be tested if need be.
Tests are not available at the Tulsa Health Department nor can you go directly to an emergency room.
The Tulsa Health Department says anyone showing signs of cough, fever, or shortness of breath should contact their primary care doctor.
Your doctor will determine if you should be tested and will coordinate testing with the state epidemiologist to schedule the test.
For those who do not have a primary doctor, help is still available. You can call 2-1-1 option 5 and inquire where you can get tested for a reduced cost.
Since there is still a lot that is unknown about this strain of the coronavirus, the director of the Tulsa Health Department, Dr. Bruce Bart says new symptoms could develop over time.
"I would expect next year there's a possibility of a different variation of the virus, just like the flu. There's different flu strains every year that circulate the glove. This seems to be playing out very similar," Dr. Bart said.
Of the now 10 confirmed cases in the state, only one in Cleveland County is being considered "community spread" since it is not travel related. Health officials are working to determine the source.
Information about current cases in the state; including location by county, age range and sex can be found here.
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