Hundreds flocked to Kauffman Stadium for COVID-19 testing. Some were turned away
Hundreds of people waited in long lines for hours to be tested for COVID-19 at Kauffman Stadium Monday. Others, despite having appointments, were turned away late in the day.
The Missouri Department of Department of Health and Senior Services contracted with Aim Laboratories to open the temporary testing site to meet an increase in demand for COVID-19 testing due to a surge in cases fueled by the fast-moving omicron variant.
The drive-through testing event at the home of the Kansas City Royals was announced online Saturday and appointments filled quickly.
Monday’s time slots were filled by Sunday, said Lisa Cox, communications director for health department. The number of people who had signed up was not available Monday.
Some people who had appointments scheduled for later in the day, however, reported being turned away despite being in line. They were told that the testing site needed to close at 4 p.m. so it wasn’t taking any more people, even if they had appointments. The last time slot on the AIM/DHSS website was for 3:30 to 4 p.m.
Those turned away were told they had to sign up again. The testing site, however, is not accepting any more appointments for this week.
Appointments, which run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., are being accepted for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 18 and Jan. 19. The testing is taking place at the stadium parking lot at 1 Royal Way. Those hoping to get tested must pre-register online to make an appointment.
Testing through the state is also available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Monday, Thursday and Friday in the parking lot of Heavy Construction Laborers #663 at 7820 Prospect Avenue in Kansas City.
An additional site is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Teamsters Local #955 at 4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard in Kansas City.
The demand for testing has been high in the Kansas City area as Missouri sees cases surge in its urban areas, Cox said.
The state, like other parts of the world, is seeing supply shortages when it comes to the Antigen tests, which are referred to as rapid diagnostic tests.
“PCR testing is being used at our community testing sites throughout the state, but availability of staffing and available vendors is still a challenge,” she said.
The at-home PCR test ordering program offered by the state will be accessible again on Wednesday and will be available in a limited amount each day through January.
“It is an important reminder that testing provides information regarding the presence of the virus at that point in time and if taken too early could provide a false sense of security due to lower levels of viral load,” Cox said. “For those with COVID-like symptoms, it is recommended they stay home and avoid contact with others just as they would with other viruses.”
For more information on the CDC’s testing guidance, go online to https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/testing/diagnostic-testing.html.
