The Oregon Legislature’s Emergency Board recently approved $4.3 million for the University of Oregon to expand their COVID-19 Monitoring and Assessment Program, known as MAP. The funding will allow purchase of “precise sequencing equipment” and could more than double the state’s testing capacity.
Currently, Oregon labs can test a maximum of 6,800 samples per day. According to the U of O, the newly funded project would increase capacity to more than 17,000 daily tests by the New Year.
The money comes mostly from federal COVID-19 response funds. While not intended to cover the university’s own testing needs, the institution acknowledges it too will benefit from increased statewide testing.
The Emergency Board may meet later this fall to consider additional allocation of funds for expanded COVID-19 testing. The Oregon Health Authority is lead on design and implementation of testing strategies statewide.
