Tulsa International Airport to Offer COVID-19 Testing for Passengers
Tulsa Airports Improvement Trust board has approved the proposal for COVID-19 testing services to be provided at Tulsa International Airport by Alpha Medical Laboratory, LLC. The testing site, located inside the B Terminal baggage claim area, will offer the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test, rapid antigen test, and the COVID-19 antibody test. A complete respiratory panel testing for COVID-19 (PCR), Flu A&B, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) will also be available.
Testing services will be offered on a walk-in or appointment basis starting January 4, 2021, Monday through Friday from 8:00am until 5:00pm and Saturday through Sunday from 9:00am to 12:00pm.Testing will be open to all ticketed passengers who are flying or have flown within three days and can show proof of travel. The COVID-19 PCR test will cost $135, rapid antigen test $70, antibody test $75, and complete respiratory panel including the PCR test $185. Payment must be provided prior to specimen collection in the form of card or cash. Passengers with health insurance can submit their lab test to their insurance for possible reimbursement.
Many health agencies around the world are requiring travelers to provide a negative PCR test to avoid quarantine protocols upon arrival. Tulsa International Airport will be the first airport in the country that offers on-site lab for PCR testing. Passengers departing from Tulsa to states or countries requiring a negative PCR test can expect results within 25 minutes and are advised to take the test three days prior to departure.
The rapid antigen test produces results within 15 minutes and gives passengers extra reassurance upon departure or arrival in Tulsa. Antibody test results are typically provided within 24 hours of specimen collection, and the complete respiratory panel within approximately 36 minutes.
CEO of Tulsa International Airport, Alexis Higgins, said:We are pleased to be able to offer COVID testing to our passengers before they begin or after they complete their travel. With such a quick turnaround time provided by Alpha Medical Laboratory, passengers can have their required test results or the peace of mind when traveling.
Alpha Medical Laboratory is an independent, highly complex medical laboratory located in Tulsa, OK. The Tulsa owned and operated company has been in business since 2017, specializing in processing laboratory specimens for Post-Acute Care Providers and Care Teams. As one of the largest COVID-19 testing providers in the country, Alpha Medical Laboratory processes over 15,000 rt-PCR specimens per month across Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.
Vice President of Business Development for Alpha Medical Laboratory, Nathan Gates, said:We are delighted to partner with Tulsa International Airport to offer the latest in COVID-19 PCR testing technology for its passengers. We look to garner more confidence with travelers by providing a world class testing laboratory right here in Tulsa. Having options for the right type of COVID test at the right time is key to continuing combating this ongoing pandemic.
This article was originally published by Tulsa International Airport.
