One of Alaska’s largest private COVID-19 testing providers plans to close its public testing sites in the state by the end of June.

The decision by the private company will not affect SEARHC’s continuation of testing services in Wrangell.

The decision by Capstone Clinic is mainly driven by financial considerations, said Matt Jones, Capstone’s director of non-clinical operations.

Jones said it began with an abrupt move by the federal government earlier this year to no longer cover the costs of COVID-19 tests or treatments for those without health insurance. Low testing volume in recent...