Coronavirus testing remains available in Mid-Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Reports of coronavirus test shortages continue nationwide, but the tests are still available at some pharmacy chains with Mid-Missouri locations.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended the use of rapid at-home tests ahead of holiday gatherings to prevent the spread of COVID, in addition to vaccinations and boosters. But in some areas, those tests are in short supply.
Bill Morrissey, Kilgore's Medical Pharmacy manager said for last few weeks, test have been flying off his shelves.
"We'll get them about nine o clock in the morning and they would be gone by two o clock in the afternoon every day," said Morrissey.
Walmart has sold out of the cheap at-home tests and now only has higher-priced tests on its website. Columbia Hy-Vee locations have limited at-home tests available for purchase. The CVS website shows no available at-home test to buy.
Most at-home tests are the cheaper, antigen tests that produce immediate results. According to Physicanone, a rapid antigen test can be administered for individuals with or without COVID-19 symptoms. The tests provide results within 15 minutes but they are generally considered to be less accurate than PCR tests.
Physicanone says the PCR tests are considered the gold standard when it comes to COVID-19 testing. These tests provide more accurate results than rapid tests because they use a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to identify the viral genetic material of COVID-19. This genetic material can be detected while a person is actively infected and also after the acute illness.
PCR tests are still available at health care clinics in Mid-Missouri and at sites such as MU Health Care's central testing site on West Broadway in Columbia. The site is open each day and accepts walk-ins.
Demand for tests has increased, which experts attribute to people wanting to get tested before holiday gatherings, the current nationwide surge in cases and the emergence of the more transmissible omicron variant.
Morrissey says now that its after the holiday, he feels people are buying test for other reasons.
"Now being on this side of the holiday, i think some of the causes are more, hey i've got symptoms, Im not sure if its COVID, I kind of want a test just to find out," said Morrissey
Kilgore's said they are shopping for a new supplier but estimates having a new shipment of test in on Thursday.
The average daily number of tests reported to health officials nationwide was about 1.7 million as of Wednesday, the day before Christmas Eve, up about 300,000 tests per day compared to a month before, according to Johns Hopkins University. Demand has also increased in Missouri.
Lisa cox, Commuicaiton Director with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services  said the state provides testing events in communities throughout the show me state but shortages in tests that are currently making the news are not impacting these efforts specifically.
Cox said Missouri continue to analyze the participation in community and testing events throughout the state on an ongoing basis to determine if more state-operated sites are needed.
Health officials are encouraging testing and vaccinations, particularly as the omicron variant takes over. The Missouri Department of Health said last week that the strain has been identified in sewage samples from Columbia, Jefferson City and Fulton.
