Coronavirus testing opportunities grow, with focus east of Troost
A coronavirus testing team from Truman Medical Centers worked at Morning Star Baptist Church in Kansas CIty April 21. Photo from FOX 4 WDAF-TV.
Get your LINC COVID-19 updates here.
Kansas City health providers are working with city and county officials to bring more coronavirus testing and screening to the community.
There are virtual screening tools and more testing operations — including mobile testing teams from Truman Medical Centers that are setting up in church parking lots and other neighborhood sites.
“We know that there are many challenges, sometimes transportation or other issues, in getting people to testing,” Truman Medical Center President and CEO Charlie Shields told FOX 4 WDAF-TV.
Most of the testing services — including the mobile Truman Medical Center service — require that you call first. The number for Truman’s services is 816-404-CARE (2273).
LINC is listing that and other testing services contacts on its coronavirus information page at kclinc.org.
The providers include a virtual screening tool by Children’s Medical Center and the Jackson County Health Department that intend to help health care professionals determine if a patient needs more intensive care — and also to help trace the pandemic.
The Kansas City Council is pulling an additional $800,000 from its public health levy to increase testing and to provide more personal protective equipment for health care professionals.
The council approved the measure with a commitment to focus testing and services on an area of 15 ZIP Codes mostly east of Troost Avenue, because the city’s black community has been suffering at a higher rate of infections and deaths.
The city’s increased services, while focusing on the heavily hit 3rd City Council District, will be available to all parts of the city, as needs change, said 3rd District Councilwoman Melissa Robinson, who sponsored the measure.
“Because this disease is so uncertain, we wanted to provide for some flexibility, so you have the 15 ZIP codes in which this will target,” Robinson said in The Kansas City Star. “However, it won’t be just limited. As things change, this ordinance allows for that flexibility.”