Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Spring Membership Drive


Donate now to support local news and music on WBOI

Indiana Closing OptumServe COVID-19 Testing Sites After June, Citing Low Demand

FILE PHOTO: Justin Hicks
/
IPB News

Indiana is closing its OptumServe COVID-19 testing sites at the end of June. The sites, set up early in the pandemic, have provided more than 541,000 free tests since May of last year.

According to the state’s website, there are 31 remaining OptumServe sites across Indiana, which will close June 30. The Indiana Department of Health said it’s ending its contract with the private company because of a “robust community-led testing network” that’s now in place.

READ MORE: How Is Indiana Distributing COVID-19 Vaccines? Here's What You Need To Know

Join the conversation and sign up for the Indiana Two-Way. Text "Indiana" to 73224. Your comments and questions in response to our weekly text help us find the answers you need on COVID-19 and other statewide issues.

There will still be more than 250 COVID-19 testing sites statewide, with locations in almost every county. In a statement, State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box noted that demand for testing has significantly decreased.

The current average number of COVID-19 tests per day in Indiana is about 13,000. That’s down more than half since just one month ago.

Contact reporter Brandon at bsmith@ipbs.org or follow him on Twitter at @brandonjsmith5.

Brandon Smith is excited to be working for public radio in Indiana. He has previously worked in public radio as a reporter and anchor in mid-Missouri for KBIA Radio out of Columbia. Prior to that, he worked for WSPY Radio in Plano, Illinois as a show host, reporter, producer and anchor. His first job in radio was in another state capitol, in Jefferson City, Missouri, as a reporter for three radio stations around Missouri. Brandon graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a Bachelor of Journalism in 2010, with minors in political science and history. He was born and raised in Chicago.