COVID-19 test numbers dropping in Missouri
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The number of COVID-19 tests done in recent weeks in Missouri has steadily dropped, according to a review of the numbers by ABC 17 News.
Data from the state Department of Health and Senior Services shows a 9.4% drop in tests done in the last seven days compared to the seven days prior. An average of 6,858 tests was done the week leading up to June 8. That dropped to a seven-day average of 6,516 on June 14.
The Columbia/Boone County Health Department reported a similar drop in the average number of tests given out per day. The seven-day average of tests on May 23 was 74.5, which dropped to 45.1 on June 14, according to data on the county's website on Thursday morning.
These drops come as new cases and hospitalizations across the state begin to increase. The state health department reported 2,531 new cases over the last seven days on Thursday, the sixth-most in the U.S. The state also sports a 6.1% positivity rate. The state reports 744 people hospitalized with COVID-19, the highest mark since May 13. Boone County reported an 11.5% positivity rate for the week ending June 10 and 32 people hospitalized.
Some of those test numbers might go up locally in the next few days. Brad Myers at MU Health Care said the provider has done more than 100 tests each day for the last several days. He said many people who get tested now are people experiencing possible symptoms of COVID-19.
"It's kind of tracking and trending in the same direction in terms of positivity rate," Myers said. "So not skyrocketing like we were in the wintertime and early spring, but starting to see a small uptick."
MU Health Care requires patients to have a doctor's order to get a test. Tests are done at several lab locations across the area. Myers said testing has become more of a "day-to-day operation" for workers, rather than a large event, such as the drive-thru testing done eariler in the pandemic. Boone Health also offers tests at its labs, according to its website.
Local health department spokeswoman Sara Humm said the availability of at-home COVID-19 tests may have driven test numbers down lately. Abbott offers an antigen test that people can buy at local pharmacies.
"While this does rely on people to report positive test results themselves, it offers more options and flexibility for folks who can't leave home or don't feel comfortable leaving home," Humm said.
Myers said the rising positivity rate is a reminder to the community to get vaccinated against COVID-19. Studies show the vaccine reduces the risk of someone being hospitalized because of COVID-19 once they are vaccinated.
