Oklahoma will soon begin saliva-based coronavirus testing, state officials announced during a news conference Tuesday.Gov. Kevin Stitt held a news conference to provide an update on the state’s coronavirus response. Elizabeth Pollard, deputy secretary of science and innovation, announced during the news conference that the diagnostics laboratory at Oklahoma State University will submit a Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for saliva-based Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing. This development will allow health care workers to move from nasal swab to saliva testing within the state, Pollard said.Saliva-based testing will allow the state to quickly process samples. Pollard said the state could begin testing saliva-based samples as early as Wednesday. Last week, Stitt released details of his plan to reopen the state’s economy in phases. During phase one, personal care businesses such as hair salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen for appointments only on Friday, April 24, in communities that do not have more restrictions in place.More businesses will be allowed to reopen on Friday, May 1 as part of phase one of the state’s reopening plan, including restaurant dining rooms, gyms, sporting venues and movie theaters can reopen statewide, Stitt said. However, they must follow strict social distancing and sanitation protocols.Stitt said during Tuesday's news conference that the state is ready to safely proceed with phase one's plan on May 1, but urges people to continue practicing social distancing guidelines. Stitt said Oklahoma has been testing significantly and urges anyone with symptoms to get tested. >> GET TESTED | Click here for a list of testing sites across OklahomaWatch Gov. Stitt's update on the state's coronavirus response in the video player below:

Oklahoma will soon begin saliva-based coronavirus testing, state officials announced during a news conference Tuesday.



Gov. Kevin Stitt held a news conference to provide an update on the state’s coronavirus response. Elizabeth Pollard, deputy secretary of science and innovation, announced during the news conference that the diagnostics laboratory at Oklahoma State University will submit a Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for saliva-based Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing.


This development will allow health care workers to move from nasal swab to saliva testing within the state, Pollard said.

Saliva-based testing will allow the state to quickly process samples. Pollard said the state could begin testing saliva-based samples as early as Wednesday.

Last week, Stitt released details of his plan to reopen the state’s economy in phases. During phase one, personal care businesses such as hair salons and barbershops were allowed to reopen for appointments only on Friday, April 24, in communities that do not have more restrictions in place.

More businesses will be allowed to reopen on Friday, May 1 as part of phase one of the state’s reopening plan, including restaurant dining rooms, gyms, sporting venues and movie theaters can reopen statewide, Stitt said. However, they must follow strict social distancing and sanitation protocols.

Stitt said during Tuesday's news conference that the state is ready to safely proceed with phase one's plan on May 1, but urges people to continue practicing social distancing guidelines.

Stitt said Oklahoma has been testing significantly and urges anyone with symptoms to get tested.

>> GET TESTED | Click here for a list of testing sites across Oklahoma

Watch Gov. Stitt's update on the state's coronavirus response in the video player below:



