Health Department Expecting More Test Kits Soon

The Sequoyah County Health Department is expecting to have more COVID-19 test kits available for patients soon.

Jill Larcade, the Health Department’s regional director, said Thursday that Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt’s call Wednesday to relax testing requirements means more tests will become available in Sequoyah County. She warned, however, that with more tests will come a spike in the number of positive cases in the county.

Larcade said the Health Department will start drive-through or curbside testing “very soon.” She said more information will be available Monday.

The coronavirus pandemic has changed lives in a matter of weeks, Larcade noted. “It just hurts your heart for Oklahomans, and the nation. We’ve never seen anything like this,” Larcade said. “I hope we never see it again.”

As of Thursday morning, the Oklahoma State Department of Health has reported 879 positive COVID-19 tests in the state.

Larcade urged everyone to follow the current guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including social distancing, monitoring yourself and your family members for symptoms and washing your hands often. She also noted the importance of keeping your work surfaces clean and sanitized.

“If you don’t have wipes you can use bleach,” Larcade said. “Just use 1 part bleach to 10 parts water,” she added.

Laura Brown, KXMX Staff Writer

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