Virus testing results slow as some wait weeks for answers

Quarantined, nervous and growing frustrated by the day, Rylee Meek tried one more time to find out her COVID-19 test results.

She called the Midwest City emergency clinic where she was tested. She was told it would be three to five days for results. Then she was told it would be seven days.

Then it was 14 days.

“I was just sicko fit ,” Meek said. “I called back and was told` We don't know what's going on with your results.'”

Across Oklahoma as more and more individuals seek testing for the coronavirus and Oklahoma continues to see large upticks in positive cases, including Gov. Kevin Stitt, the wait times on those results also are increasing.

In a conference call Wednesday morning, St it twas asked how he and his family got a test done so quickly while most Oklahomans are reporting they had to wait seven to 10 days.

Stitt smiled and laughed at the question before letting Oklahoma interim Health Commissioner Lance Frye answer.

Frye said results depend on which test is administered and which lab is used for processing.

“I'm well aware that there is an issue with that, and we are talking about that on a daily basis,” he said. “When it gets to the lab you should be able to get it back within 24 to 48 hours.

There are still some places that are sending out of state for processing. That takes longer. Sometimes there's just an error in contacting those people. We are aware of, we are working through that. We don't have control over all the labs.”

For Meek, a nurse called the testing company, Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma, on her behalf to inquire about her results.

Later that day, she found out she was negative f or COVID-19. Grateful for the result, but frustrated at the experience.

“My mom is in her60s and has dementia,” Meek said. “I wasn't able to be around her because I didn't want to make her sick. Just waiting and not knowing and nobody can tell you what's going on, i t's frustrating.

“When I was calling for results, you get the sense that no one really knows what's going on right now.”

While many people are reporting getting results back from state-run testing facilities within one to two days, getting into those facilities is often another hurdle itself.

In a Wednesday morning survey of all the Oklahoma City metro-area county health departments, none were accepting appointments before Friday.

To get a Friday appointment, many suggested calling the health department's number about 8 a.m. and “be prepared to be on hold,” said one county test scheduler.

At the Canadian County Healt h Department i n Yukon, the earliest testing appointment available was July 22.

The urgency felt to get tested is making others look elsewhere.

Sean Brooks went to a Healthcare Stat in Newcastle because they were offering rapid testing.

He paid $25 and got his negative results back within 10 minutes.

The price for rapid testing without insurance is $150.

Crystal Ghere, 40, said she eventually turned to her doctor and an telemedicine visit to get a recommendation for a test through her insurance company. She previously had been tested in April and was able to get scheduled and get results back within a few days.

“I called some places, but I kept hitting some dead ends,” she said. “I just got tired of calling people.

Ghere eventually got tested on July 7 but didn't get her results back for six days.

“Especially with something this dangerous, you don't want to wait that long,” she said. “You just kinda keep thinking, am I safe to be around?”

Lab companies Quest Diagnostics and LabCorp said the recent demand for COVID-19 tests surged, slowing down the turnaround time for results.

Results for non-hospitalized patients now take seven or more days at Quest, though they were promising results in two to three days at the beginning of July.

The reason for the slowdown in results? Nasal swab tests soared in June and July with volumes soaring to 7.4 million tests so far this month, Quest Diagnostics spokesperson Kim Gorode said.

“To address these challenges we are seeking to add new technology platforms, among other options,” Gorode said. “We are also considering additional partners for our lab referral program, through which we forward specimens we receive to other laboratories with open capacity.”

Hannah Bigbee said she and her parents are sticking it out in quarantine for now. It's been 11 days since they got tested at Access Medical Center in Norman.

She said her family remains committed to waiting for results before possibly venturing out again for groceries or take-out dinner, but she wonders if others will be as diligent in waiting for results.

“We don' t want to endanger someone else, but eventually we have to go out,” she said. “It's a nerve-wracking situation not knowing.”