Drive-Thru Testing For Coronavirus Takes Backseat To Possible Severe Weather In Oklahoma

With the threat of severe weather, some COVID-19 drive-thru testing sites in the Oklahoma City area are forced to close to make sure everyone stays as safe as possible.

Officials with the Cleveland County Health Department said they closed two of their curbside COVID-19 testing sites to protect staff and patients in the event of severe weather. Their sites are set to reopen when weather clears back up.

“As it’s Oklahoma in the spring, we never just get a little bit of rain or a little bit of mist. We get strong winds, we get lightening, we get hail, and in those situations, it’s just not safe to be outside,” said Amy Allen of Cleveland County Health Department.

The other six testing sites throughout the county did not close because they were able to conduct their testing before weather rolled in. Cleveland County health officials said they always monitor the weather.

“We’re always in contact with emergency managers and being weather aware in Oklahoma during the spring, that’s something you just have to do,” Allen said.

They said these testing sites should open back up by Thursday, but will take it day-by-day as severe weather season continues.

“Depending on the exact weather that we get, we may have to put back testing a little bit, change a little bit how we do it or if it’s just not safe,” Allen said. “We just won’t test while it’s not safe.”

Allen said if weather affects your testing location, you still have options.

“The important thing to remember is that if you have symptoms and you meet our criteria, we’ll find a way to get you tested as soon as we can,” said Allen.