MU Health Care pauses testing at Hearnes Center COVID-19 testing site

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

MU Health Care is pausing operations at its COVID-19 drive-thru testing site in the Mizzou softball stadium parking lot next to the Hearnes Center on Saturday, Sept. 19.

Officialssay the number of tests given at those sites dropped from 3,100 in the final week of August to 2,000 last week. To better optimize staffing and resources, MU Health Care will only operate the Mizzou North location beginning Saturday, Sept. 19.

“Testing demand is a very fluid metric, and we are monitoring it very closely to ensure we have the appropriate staff and resources to provide a convenient testing experience,”said Jonathan Heidt, MD, MU Health Care emergency physician. “The Mizzou North location is now our primary testing site because we have an entire lab located on the property to provide the most efficient test results possible.”

The operating hours for the Mizzou North location are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday. Patients suffering severe symptoms or breathing problems should go to the emergency department or call 911.