St. Mary's Hospital to close drive-thru COVID-19 testing site

Cars lined up Thursday in the designated testing area at St. Mary's Hospital to get tested for coronavirus. St. Mary's and Capital Region Medical Center have seen increases in the number of patients they are treating for the virus.
Cars lined up Thursday in the designated testing area at St. Mary's Hospital to get tested for coronavirus. St. Mary's and Capital Region Medical Center have seen increases in the number of patients they are treating for the virus.

St. Mary's Hospital in Jefferson City will shut down its drive-thru COVID-19 testing site after Friday.

The hospital's testing site is closing because of sustained low volumes and reduced community transmission of the coronavirus, according to a news release from SSM Health.

Anyone who feels sick and has symptoms consistent with COVID-19 is encouraged to contact their primary care provider or go to an urgent care clinic.

Physician's orders are required for COVID-19 testing.

Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City closed its drive-thru COVID-19 testing site in mid-February because of declining volumes and hazardous weather conditions.

The Cole County Health Department does not conduct COVID-19 testing. The department asks that people contact their health care providers if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms - such as a fever, cough, shortness of breath, fatigue or other symptoms - or call the Missouri Novel Coronavirus Information Hotline at 877-435-8411 for information, according to information on its website.

The state hotline is operated by medical professionals and is available 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday.

Those who don't have a primary care physician may also call Capital Region Medical Center's COVID-19 Respiratory Illness Triage Line at 833-763-0444. The line is available 8 a.m.-noon Monday through Friday and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday.

Jefferson City Medical Group offers COVID-19 testing at its Express Care clinics, according to JCMG's website.

A free community COVID-19 testing event is scheduled from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. March 19 in the parking lot of American Legion Post 5, 1423 Tanner Bridge in Jefferson City. To register, visit mako.exchange/splash/MOmakotesting.