By BRENT MARTIN
St. Joseph Post
Missouri residents can receive a free COVID-19 test Saturday in St. Joseph.
Another community-wide coronavirus testing event will be held in the city as the city collaborates with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to test residents at least seven years old.
St. Joseph Department of Health spokeswoman Stephanie Malita says tests in the past have gone well.
“The feedback that we have heard of has been very positive. People are grateful that its free,” Malita tells St. Joseph Post. “Pricing, depending on your level of insurance coverage, can be a barrier.”
The free drive-through testing will take place at the Aquatic Park at 402 South Noyes Boulevard in St. Joseph between 8am and 4pm. Tests will be taken through a nasal swab. Results should be back in 2-to-3 days.
The St. Joseph Health Department recommends registering with the state beforehand to guarantee a test and make it a faster process. Click here for a link to register.
Malita says the free testing offers a great opportunity for those worried about the coronavirus.
“If you’re unsure of your exposure level and you just want to see if you have COVID or if you’re having symptoms that you think might be allergies or oh, I’ve just got a cold, this is a good opportunity to go ahead and get tested,” according to Malita.
Any Missouri resident can get tested.
Test results from the past indicate the growth of the pandemic locally.
The St. Joseph Health Department says results from the first community testing event in June showed a .71% positive rate. The positivity rate rose during an October event to 3.01% and rose again after the November testing event to 19.55%.