Butler County Health Department sees dwindling rapid test supplies

Hospitalizations for COVID-19 in Missouri’s southeast area remain higher than lows seen in mid-November.

The area reported 139 hospitalized patients, with 22 in intensive care as of Jan. 18, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Remaining inpatient bed capacity stood at 23%, with ICU bed capacity at 41%.

Hospitalizations were at 109 the week prior, with 25 patients in intensive care. Southeast Missouri’s hospitals saw a six month-low, with only 29 in patients as of Nov. 9 and seven in the ICU.

The increased cases have caused a spike in requests for rapid tests at Butler County Health Department, said Director Emily Goodin.

The increase in requests at a time when supplies have halted mean the department will have to enforce policies regarding who can be tested, said Goodin. Only those who are symptomatic will be tested through the health department, which has added a third weekly testing day through January to meet demand.

“We’ve always strived to test those that are sick and who really needed a test,” Goodin said. “We’re here to help whoever we can, whenever we can.

“As cases have gone up the last couple of weeks, it’s really put a strain on my staff to get everyone tested who needed to be tested. The demand is really high for everyone wanting to get tests, but our supply is dwindling down.”

Butler County had 460 new positive cases in the past week, after seeing weekly numbers in November as low as 50.

Butler County Health Department had received its supply of rapid tests from the state, but has been told there are no more shipments available. The department received its last shipment in December.

“I understand we are probably one of the few entities that do offer free testing and we will continue that as long as we do have the tests,” Goodin said.

The health department is looking at other avenues to get additional tests, including reaching out to Butler County partners. The school districts and Three Rivers College have shared their supplies, Goodin said.

Other options would be more costly, but Goodin wants to avoid having to ask for payment for the rapid tests.

She said Butler County is fortunate to be able to offer this option, as not all county health departments still have rapid tests available.

Goodin is hopeful that numbers will begin to drop again as the region gets further away from the Christmas holidays, which involved more get-togethers and travel for families.

She encourages anyone who feels sick to stay home.

Goodin also said the health department offers free vaccine clinics every Friday and one night clinic each month.

Residents can now also order free at-home COVID tests from the federal government. Households can receive four free tests by signing up at https://special.usps.com/testkits. The website asks for a name and shipping address, but does not require any additional information.

At-home tests are scarce at retailers, with some, like Walgreens, posting signs at their entrance to tell shoppers they do not have any in stock.