CDC Operation Expanded Testing: No-Cost COVID-19 Testing for Corrections

As we move into the third year of COVID-19, Operation Expanded Testing provides a great opportunity for correctional facilities to expand screening testing to detect outbreaks early.

OpET is a federally-funded program that provides no-cost COVID-19 PCR testing to congregate settings including correctional and detention facilities.

Specifics of the program:

• OpET is administered through three regional hubs that receive and test specimens.
• To enroll, facilities will identify which hub is assigned to their region and contact the hub through the links below. (See map below.)
• Facilities are responsible for collecting and packing specimens for shipment to their regional hub.
• OpET pays for shipping and testing.
• Turnaround time for results depends on volume but generally runs from one to three days.

Regional Hubs

Hub 1 (West) Home – Lets End This Together
Program Manager: John Hicks [email protected]

Hub 2 (Midwest) Midwest Coordination Center – COVID Testing (testedandprotected.org)
Program Manager: Beverly Roberts [email protected]

Hub 3 (Northeast and South) Operation Expanded Testing – Eurofins Clinical Enterprise
Program Manager: Sean Plotner [email protected]

With questions, please contact the regional hub in your area, or the OpET Program at [email protected].

There is also information on designing a screening testing program in the CDC Interim Guidance for SARS-CoV-2 Testing in Correctional and Detention Facilities | CDC.

If your facility would like to consult with the CDC COVID-19 Corrections Unit on designing a screening testing program, please contact us at [email protected].

Please share this resource widely with other correctional health practitioners.