Skip to Content

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

Testing site at Derby Ridge
ABC 17 News
Nurses wait for patients at a mobile COVID-19 testing site at Derby Ridge Elementary School.

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.

Article Topic Follows: Coronavirus

Jump to comments ↓

Author Profile Photo

Ben Fein

Ben Fein is a multimedia journalist for ABC 17 News. You can usually see his reports on weekend mornings or weekdays at 5, 6 and 6:30 p.m. on KMIZ.

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

ABC 17 News is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content