Butler County officials discuss increased testing

A drive-through Coronavirus Test Collection Center opened Tuesday in Cape Girardeau as a joint effort between hospitals there, the city and the county.

Butler County agencies are also coming together to share resources, but testing here is expected to increase more slowly.

Butler County Health Department is working with the Butler County Emergency Management Director, along with members of the Emergency Operations Center, on discussions of drive-through testing, said Emily Goodin of BCHD.

No date or location has been determined as the group is still working through all the logistics, she said.

Providers are currently performing COVID-19 tests for their patients, said Goodin.

“They can perform a test on anyone they deemed necessary to have the test,” Goodin said. “BCHD has the (Missouri) state lab testing kits. Which means the client has to meet all state-required criteria to receive the state lab kits.

“The state is a bit more (strict) with their criteria. Both kits are the same, however it will be a quicker response time from the state lab than the private labs.”

Butler County Emergency Management Agency Director Robbie Myers said patients are asked to follow specific steps if they believe they need a test.

Butler County has had 26 people tested for COVID-19 to date, with 20 returned as negative. Results are pending for the remainder.

“Everything still starts with your primary care physician,” Myers said. “We’re still encouraging everyone to call in rather than just show up.

“Particularly people do not need to report to the emergency room just to be tested.”

Individuals without a primary care physician can reach out to another provider in the area or urgent care by telephone, Myers said.

Providers are establishing their own procedures for where testing will occur at their facilities.

Physicians Park Primary Care has set up a tent to handle testing outside the facility. It does not accept walk-ins and patients are required to call ahead and be referred for a test.

Those being tested are not entering the clinic, according to staff.

“We’re working on trying to get a larger testing presence going,” said Myers. “We’re awaiting guidance from state and Department of Health and Human Services.”

Each community is working on this, and wants to make sure tests are used efficiently and prudently, he said.

Myers said he will also be speaking with Cape Girardeau officials about their community testing center and what lessons can be learned from that effort.