October 8, 2020
ST. CHARLES COUNTY, MO – The Missouri Department of Health & Senior Services (DHSS) and Missouri National Guard will perform drive-through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to determine current COVID-19 infection on October 16 and 17 on the parking lot of the Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway in St. Charles. The tests are free and open to all Missouri residents during the following times:
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16
- 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 17
Upon arrival at the testing site, participants should remain in their vehicles. After completing a short registration questionnaire, participants will collect a self-administered nasal specimen with assistance from members of the National Guard. The collected test will be sent to a laboratory for processing, and patients will be notified of their results.
“When individuals discover that they are sick with COVID-19, they can take precautionary steps to protect themselves, the ones they love and others whom they may contact,” St. Charles County Department of Public Health Director Demetrius Cianci-Chapman says. “Testing allows the department of determine who has contracted the virus, and then to focus its mitigation efforts where we know the virus is present in the population. This focus allows us to hone in and more effectively reduce the spread to our most vulnerable citizens.”
Online registration for scheduled appointments will speed the testing process but is not required. To register, visit the DHSS website at health.mo.gov/communitytest or call the Missouri COVID-19 Hotline at 877-435-8411.
Participants must be Missouri residents; however, they do not need to be St. Charles County residents to participate in this test event. Individuals do not need to be experiencing COVID-19 symptoms to be eligible for the test, and a physician’s order or proof of insurance are not required.
Following recommended precautions, such as maintaining social distancing, washing hands and frequently touched surfaces regularly and covering your nose and mouth with cloth or disposable masks will reduce the risk for exposure to or spreading contagious illnesses. For additional information on St. Charles County’s efforts to reduce the spread of illness, visit sccmo.org/COVID. For questions about symptoms or testing, call the St. Charles County COVID-19 Hotline at 636-949-1899 or speak with a medical provider.
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Media Contact: Mary Enger, Communications Director, 636-949-1856, or 636-443-1008, menger@sccmo.org
About St. Charles County:
Founded in 1812, St. Charles County is one of the fastest growing counties in Missouri, and the state’s third largest county in both population and economic share. It is home to 15 scenic county parks encompassing more than 3,643 acres with additional land under development and more in reserve for future development.
With a population of 395,504, St Charles County is home to large employers including General Motors, Citi, MasterCard Worldwide and Boeing. It is ranked among the top 25 counties in the nation in high-tech job growth by the Progressive Policy Institute and consistently has the lowest unemployment rate in the Metropolitan St. Louis area.
St. Charles County Government employs nearly 1,100 in more than 30 departments and offices, who work to make the county an excellent place to live, work and shop. For more information, please visit sccmo.org.