At-Home COVID Tests To Open To The Public

As cases and demand skyrocket for COVID-19 testing, at-home tests have become highly sought after.

By the end of this week, you will be allowed eight free tests per month by the end of the week.

This is part of President Biden's action plan to slow the spread of the highly-transmittable Omicron variant.

Right now, these at-home tests are hard to find, but the Biden administration says they are purchasing more than half a billion for Americans.

This news arrives as our state hit a new record this week for new infections since the beginning of the pandemic.

"We know that number is a gross underestimation of the true number of people infected in the community. I multiply that by three, but I think that is very conservative," said Dr. Dale Bratzler with OU Health.

Doctors are sounding the alarm for these at-home tests.

According to the State Department of Health, there is no system in place right now to report a positive at-home test.

"The at-home tests are good if you are sick or about to be sick. Otherwise, they are not accepted as a diagnostic result," said Phillip Maytubby with the Oklahoma City-County Health Department.

Health officials and the state ask if you test positive with an at-home test, you need to follow the quarantine guidelines and get a PCR test to confirm.

"I think we are going to have to have better methods for public health detection," said Dr. David Kendrick with the Healthier Oklahoma Coalition

These at-home tests are known for being easy to use.

You will either pay up-front for your at-home test and get it reimbursed afterward, or your health insurance will already have it paid for.