Boone County health officials waiting on information about COVID-19 saliva test availability

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

As Gov. Mike Parson touts a new saliva test for novel coronavirus developed in Missouri, the local health department said it is waiting for details about the new test's availability.

Scott Clardy, assistant director at the Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services, said he has not been made aware of the availability of those tests in the county.

Clardy said he is waiting for the state's health department and manufacturers to reach out to the county about saliva tests.

Clardy said he's eager to get these tests out. "It would be a huge improvement, for those who need to be tested," Clardy said.

Parson spoke about the new saliva test during his COVID-19 briefing Thursday. Watch the briefing in the player below.

The tests are more desirable for a few reasons. The test is less invasive from a patient's standpoint.

The test can be done in the privacy of one's own home, however the collection of the sample would still need to be monitored.

This would also mean a lesser chance of exposure for health care professionals.

The results from the saliva tests also come in much quicker, which Clardy said would allow health care workers to do more tests in much less time.

Clardy said the county has been lucky to have two health care providers who have stepped up to offer drive-thru testing.

For the most part, Clardy said, the county has been able to keep up with the testing demand. He said as the need for more tests increases, these saliva tests could be of great assistance to these healthcare providers.

Check back for more on this developing story or watch ABC 17 News at 5 and 6.