OKC lab develops at-home COVID-19 test kit

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  • People may order the kits at www.wheeler-labs.com. When customers check out, they choose two-day or overnight shipping.  The kits cost $125 apiece, which covers lab fees, telehealth provider authorization and shipping.
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OKLAHOMA CITY – An Oklahoma City-based lab has developed a COVID-19 test for people who want to check their status at home.

Wheeler Labs is offering a saliva collection kit, combined with polymer chain reaction testing, so people may perform their own COVID-19 tests, the company said in a news release. The federal Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the test.

The test relies on quantitative reverse transcription PCR, a lab technique which combines reverse transcription of ribonucleic acid and amplification of specific DNA targets using a polymerase chain reaction. The technology has high sensitivity and specificity for detecting the coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

People may order the kits at www.wheeler-labs.com. When customers check out, they choose two-day or overnight shipping.

The kits cost $125 apiece, which covers lab fees, telehealth provider authorization and shipping. Kits are shipped directly to the customer’s home, where they will fill out a medical questionnaire and follow instructions for completing the test.

After finishing the test, customers should place their saliva sample inside the packaging and return it to Wheeler Labs. Results should be available within 72 hours.

Wheeler does not currently process insurance claims, but customers may file a claim with their insurance carrier, the company said on its website.