Boone County hospital limits COVID-19 testing

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

MU Health Care is temporarily limiting its COVID-19 testing, the testing clinics will now only test people with COVID-19 symptoms.

MU Health Care reported the change is in place until further notice, but it comes at a difficult time with the holidays and omicron variant COVID-19 cases rising fast.

The hospital's testing site at 2003 W. Broadway in Columbia, is averaging more than 300 people per day in need of a test. Just three weeks prior the clinic was seeing around 100 people a day.

The increased demand and high volumes of people needing a test is placing additional pressure on other hospital resources.

The hospital said around 60 percent of its visitors are not experiencing symptoms, and are needing tests for traveling.

MU Health's testing location at W. Broadway is available seven days a week from 8 am to 12:30 pm, now only for people experiencing symptoms.

The clinic will be closed tomorrow and Saturday for the holidays and will reopen on Sunday.

Right now this is the only Mid-Missouri hospital that has announced COVID-19 testing changes.

MU Health Care will monitor the demand and make changes as needed.

The hospital said people who are suffering severe symptoms or breathing problems should go to the emergency room or call 911.