Oregon to double COVID-19 testing with influx of rapid tests

Gov.

Kate Brown announced Tuesday that 60,000 to 80,000 rapid antigen tests will be given out per week across Oregon through the end of the year.

New cases.

For more now on the testing the governor announced today..

We go to kezi nine news reporter kennedy dendy... live at nova health in coburg.

Kennedy?

Matt, renee-- oregon's governor says the tests will first be reserved for those affected by the wildfires and will given out to counties.

I'm told the hope is this will double the testing capacity and help reduce transmission -- because it will identify more people who have the disease.

Here at nova health in coburg, you can get a covid-19 test without even leaving your car& when you drive up, you're asked if you're sick or if you've been exposed, that you know of.

If you don't have any symptoms... and don't have any known exposures, you'll be given a rapid antigen test -- with results in as little as 30 minutes.

You can wait for your results at the site or you'll get a call within a couple hours if the test is positive..

And a text or email if it's negative.

If you have had an exposure and show symptoms, you'll be given a rapid antigen test-- and*also a p-c-r test if the rapid showed up negative.

Because false negatives can happen.

I asked one of the staff members here about all the tests flooding into oregon.

"that's a good thing because then we find out not only how many positives but also how many negatives.

Which then helps guide what percentage are we talking as far as the positives go.

If we only test the ones that are sick or the ones that have a known exposure, we don't really know that the percentage is.

The more widespread the testing is the more reality that is."

At this drive through alone, 5 thousand tests have been given out since early july... because demand has been high recently.

And just yesterday, 300 were tested.

Lane county health officials say there have been 9 outbreaks related to college-aged clusters... and they expect to see the*cases within those outbreaks to grow.

Lane county will be holding free testing events for wildfire evacuees beginning*tomorrow.

Live in coburg kennedy dendy kezi 9