MU Health opening second drive-thru testing site because of increased demand

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

University of Missouri Health Care is opening a second drive-thru COVID-19 testing site Monday, citing increased demand as cases continue their quick rise.

MU Health said during the week of June 29 the existing site tested 300 people per day on average. A week later the drive-thru site saw 650 people per day on average. Patients are now waiting several hours to get tested.

The second location opens Monday at Mizzou North, 115 Business Loop 70 W.

MU Health spokeswoman Jesslyn Chew said MU is also seeing an increase in hospitalizations becaue of COVID-19. On Thursday morning MU reported 20 patients were in the hospital with COVID-19 -- up four from Wednesday.

The hospitalizations coincide with record-setting increases in cases both statewide and in Boone County. Boone County saw its highest single-day total of new COVID-19 cases Wednesday with 51. The county added 100 cases in just three days.

MU Health is also changing the way patients get notified for negative results because of the rise in people getting tested, according to a news release.

Those who test negative for COVID-19 won't receive a phone call with their results. Instead, results will be available online within 72 hours. People with positive results will continue to receive a phone call, usually within 24-48 hours of being tested.

In MU Health's 25-county service area, 23,929 tests have been completed and 640 of those are positive.

The testing sites will have the same hours as the current site, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.