Memorial Health Adds Rapid PCR Testing in Lawton
The hospital installed one of only six Cepheid Infinity PCR analyzers in Oklahoma ahead of flu season.
Updated on Nov. 12, 2026 in COVID-19
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Memorial Health in Lawton, Oklahoma, has installed a Cepheid Infinity PCR analyzer that returns some test results in less than an hour. The analyzer tests for flu, COVID-19, RSV, strep, and several other illnesses.
Why it matters
Faster respiratory testing can help clinicians decide on treatment sooner during flu season. The installation adds diagnostic capacity for Lawton-area patients as seasonal illness rises.
The hospital reports some results in less than an hour, and it is one of six sites in Oklahoma with this Cepheid Infinity PCR analyzer. The source does not state the analyzer's daily test throughput or patient pricing.
The players
Memorial Health
Memorial Health is the Lawton, Oklahoma hospital system that installed the Cepheid Infinity PCR analyzer.
Cepheid Infinity PCR analyzer
The Cepheid Infinity is a PCR diagnostic platform used for rapid molecular testing of respiratory and other infections.
The details
The analyzer runs PCR testing and is overseen by the hospital's lab director. The panel covers flu, strep, COVID, a full 13-panel respiratory test, C. diff, STI testing, and women's health panels.
Timeline
The hospital installed the analyzer ahead of flu season, as reported in November 2026.
Health Landscape
The installation extends the rollout of the Cepheid Infinity PCR platform, of which only six units are in Oklahoma. Rapid molecular testing of this kind is increasingly used to speed respiratory diagnosis compared with traditional lab turnaround.
Patients who need respiratory testing may get results in under an hour at Memorial Health in Lawton. Earlier results can help guide decisions about treatment and isolation during flu season.
The takeaway
Faster PCR results can shorten the wait between a test and a treatment decision. Patients with flu-like symptoms in the Lawton area may ask their provider whether rapid respiratory testing is available.
Further reading
For broader context on respiratory virus testing, see COVID-19 coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Kswo.
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