As testing volume continues to increase, MU Health Care is instituting changes to its drive-thru testing process for coronavirus (COVID-19), including opening a second location at Mizzou North, 115 Business Loop 70 W.

The week of June 29, staff at the existing drive-thru testing site near the Mizzou softball stadium completed an average of 300 tests per day. This week, the drive-thru site has experienced a significant increase in volumes and is testing an average of more than 650 patients per day, resulting in wait times of up to several hours. The drive-thru testing site at the Mizzou softball stadium opened March 18.

Effective Monday, July 13, MU Health Care will operate an additional testing site at Mizzou North. The testing sites will have the same hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m. to noon Saturday.

Additionally, MU Health Care is changing the notification process for negative results due to the increase in people getting tested.

Those who test negative for COVID-19 no longer will receive a phone call with their results. Instead, results will be available through the HEALTHConnect portal within 72 hours. People with positive results will continue to receive a phone call, usually within 24-48 hours of testing.

Patients experiencing mild COVID-19 symptoms, those who’ve had direct exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19, traveled to a high-risk area, or patients with certain risk factors should seek a doctor’s order before getting a test at either drive-thru testing site. Patients who are asymptomatic and require testing prior to scheduled medical procedures will have the option to be tested within a MU Health Care lab instead of the drive-thru.

Patients suffering severe symptoms or breathing problems should proceed directly to the emergency department or call 911.

For more information about the drive-thru testing process, visit muhealth.org/coronavirus/testing.

For more details about these additional services and information regarding COVID-19, visit muhealth.org/coronavirus.