Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Obstacles Remain As Indiana Tries To Reach Testing Goal

Justin Hicks
/
IPB News

 

State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box says there are enough labs up and running across Indiana to do the number of necessary COVID-19 tests the state is aiming for – 6,300 a day.

But Box says there are still obstacles to actually conducting those tests.

The state is urging health care providers to order tests for anyone who is symptomatic for COVID-19. But Box says one challenge is identifying sites statewide where those tests can be administered.

READ MORE: Can I Go For A Walk? Here's What The Updated 'Stay-At-Home' Order Really Does

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana 2020 Two-Way. Text "elections" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and the 2020 election.

LEE MAS: ¿Puedo Salir A Caminar? Esto Es Lo Que Significa Una Orden De Permanecer En Casa

“Because it is something that does still require usually a nasopharyngeal swab, which usually requires the personal protective equipment to be able to do that testing,” Box says.

A lack of those swabs she mentions are another issue – Box says the state has been trying to buy more swabs and a special solution called “viral transport media” for the tests.

“The federal government has taken over the supply of a lot of this," Box says. "It’s not a question of money – I have plenty of money. If I can find them, I buy them and will buy them.”

As of Wednesday, the most COVID-19 tests run in a single day in Indiana was about 3,300.

Contact Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

This is a rapidly evolving story, and we are working hard to bring you the most up-to-date information. However, we recommend checking the websites of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Indiana State Department of Health for the most recent numbers of COVID-19 cases.