Butler County Health Department receives 50 RAPID tests; waiting list available

The Butler County Health Department will be getting its COVID-19 RAPID testing machine back next week after sharing it with Dunklin County this week.

BCHD administrator Emily Goodin said the department currently has 50 tests available for next week. All appointments for those tests are taken, but the health department is adding people to a waiting list should the health department get additional tests.

"Right now we are scheduled to have 50, I hope to have a little bit more, but I'll find out more about that next week," Goodin said.

There are no requirements to take the tests, and people do not need to be showing symptoms. The tests are also free of charge but will be issued by appointment only.

The health department performed about 70 tests two weeks ago using the same machine. Tests are performed on-site with results available in 30-45 minutes at 1619 N. Main St. in Poplar Bluff. Test takers are not required to get out of their car to take the test.

Goodin also announced during Friday's emergency management meeting that Missouri's Department of Health and Human Services, following a state directive, tested all residents and employees at the Westwood Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center for coronavirus.

"There are currently no cases," Goodin said. "They did call the residents' families to make everybody aware that this was going on, and there are currently no positives."

The health department was unaffiliated with the testing at Westwood Hills Health & Rehabilitation Center, so it did not need to use any of its available tests or personal protective equipment to test those individuals.