Kansas City sets up pop-up sites where residents can be tested for coronavirus for free
Update: All testing slots are filled now. Details in this story.
Kansas City has created four pop-up sites to test residents for the new coronavirus for free on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, the city’s health department announced Sunday.
Residents need to register in advance and must be at least 7. Those wanting to be tested do not need to show COVID-19 symptoms, according to the Kansas City, Missouri Health Department.
Health officials hope the clinics will especially help meet testing needs in Kansas City’s 64106, 64123, 64124, 64126, 64127 zip codes.
Frank Thompson, the health department’s deputy director, said some populations face more obstacles when trying to get tested for the virus. Officials must reach “medically under-served populations” with testing resources, he said.
“Some have transportation issues; many don’t have health insurance to pay for a test or may wait until they are in critical condition because of medical costs,” Thompson said in a statement. “As the response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues, these longstanding social disparities have the potential to allow the disease to spread undetected.”
Kansas City was one of eight Missouri areas selected for targeted testing, officials said. The city received 500 test kits for initiative.
The clinics have been set up at the following locations:
- The Antioch Crossing parking garage, behind the former Sears store, at 5415 NE Antioch Road. Testing there will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday.
- The Sun Fresh Grocery Store parking lot at 3110 Prospect Ave. Testing there will be conducted from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
- KIPP Endeavor Academy Charter School at 2700 East 18th Street. Testing there will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Independence Boulevard Christian Church at 606 Gladstone Blvd. Testing there will be conducted from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Residents interested in receiving a test must complete an online registration form.
As of Sunday, 493 people have tested positive for the virus in Kansas City and 15 have died. In Jackson County, 307 have been infected and nine have died.
The Kansas City metro region — which includes Kansas City and Jackson, Clay and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas — has recorded 1,893 confirmed cases and 114 deaths.
This story was originally published April 26, 2020 at 9:07 PM.
