State Health Department deploying mobile testing vans for underserved in OKC

Oklahoma State Department of Health Rolls Out Caring Vans

COVID-19 testing effort ramped up with goal to test 90,000 Oklahomans in May

OKLAHOMA CITY (May 8, 2020) – Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) Commissioner Gary Cox is encouraging all Oklahomans to get tested for COVID-19 as soon as possible with a goal to test 90,000 people during the month of May.

Through a partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Oklahoma and The Caring Foundation, OSDH is deploying four Caring Vans providing free COVID-19 testing to underserved communities in Oklahoma City, increasing testing accessibility. COVID-19 testing is open to everyone; people do not need to exhibit symptoms to be tested.

Caring Vans will be at the following locations on Friday, May 8, and on Saturday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Guiding Right, 1420 NE 23rd St., Okla. City
• Supermercados Morelos, 1 SE 59th St., Okla. City
• Little Flower Catholic Church (across the street from Latino Community Development Agency), 1125 S. Walker Ave., Okla. City
• La 29 Business Association, SW 29th St., Okla. City

“As the state enters the first phase of a measured reopening, testing becomes even more vital to health officials and Oklahomans who use data to make informed decisions to protect health,” said Health Commissioner Gary Cox. “We want everyone to get tested, regardless of whether or not they are currently showing symptoms, so we can improve early detection of new clusters and hot spots as they arise and aggressively mitigate spread.”

The OSDH is committed to working closely with public health and community leaders in the formation of innovative partnerships to ramp up testing capacity, going beyond traditional drive-thru sites to a more mobile model statewide.

Please visit coronavirus.health.ok.gov for additional COVID-19 testing information.