Testing for the COVID-19 virus began Tuesday morning in Canadian County at both the main health department locations in El Reno and the satellite location in Yukon.

Maggie Jackson, District 2 Community Engagement director, said the short notice on starting testing was due to the district not getting supplies until Monday.

“We just received supplies today so we didn’t have a lot of notice. We order viral test mediums every week and as soon as we get them we send them out,” said Jackson.

District 2 consists of Canadian, Logan, Kingfisher, Blaine, Major, Garfield and Grant counties.

Jackson said the viral test mediums and the personal protection equipment (PPEs) for health-care workers arrived Monday.

“We are sharing with other counties but we will have at least 50 tests if not more. We know the volume will be high so we are trying to help get some of the rural areas,” said Jackson.

Testing will be done at the El Reno and Yukon offices between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those wishing to get tested must sign up ahead of time by calling the health department in the town they live.

The number for El Reno is 405-262-0042.

Jackson said testing will be done at your car.

“We will have people stay in their vehicles and we will have drive-up appointments,” said Jackson.

Due to the lower number of testing kits, Jackson said those making appointments will also be screened before tests are given. Jackson said the district had gotten 100 tests on Monday with the PPEs and that will be added to the 150 it received a week earlier.

“At this point we will screen to see if they qualify for a test so we can test as far as we can,” said Jackson.

Jackson said tests will be done daily as long as the stock of supplies last. Those 250 tests are to be shared between the seven county health departments in the district.

“The tests will be daily as long as supplies hold out and we have nurse availability. If we get a high volume, we will look to get more supplies.

“I hope supplies will continue to come in,” said Jackson.

District 23 state Sen. Lonnie Paxton said he was surprised by the low number of test kits for the seven counties. His district covers or borders three of the counties involved including Canadian.

“There should be more tests available than that. I will check to confirm that number but it certainly could be.

“I know a lot of tests have been made available. That number seems really low,” said Paxton.

The seven counties making up District 2 have a combined 51 positive tests for COVID-19 according to Monday’s statistics from the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Canadian County has the highest numbers with 35 positive tests and one death.