Testing is key to battling COVID-19 in our community, but we believe that's possible while consolidating the county's two test sites into one.
As we recently reported, the Cole County Commission will discuss a proposal Tuesday to consider doing that.
Currently, Capital Region Medical Center and Jefferson City Medical Group operate their respective testing sites. CRMC officials said they are testing 40-50 people a day. JCMG reported five or six a day. Community Health Center refers those who need testing to Jefferson City's two hospitals.
Not enough testing is needed to justify two separate sites.
Kristi Campbell, Cole County's Health Department director, said initial discussions indicated having one testing site would reduce costs for staffing and personal protective equipment being used at the hospital testing sites. They also noted the need for a solution to the strain on those manning the outdoor sites, as they have to wear full PPE for long periods of time during the high heat and humidity of summer weather.
She and other representatives of the Cole County Health Department met with Capital Region, JCMG, Community Health Center and commissioners Tuesday.
One possible solutions brought up was to have a mobile testing unit that could travel throughout the county.
Using the old county health department building on Industrial Drive was also suggested, as was locating a mobile trailer on a county-owned parking lot on Adams Street.
To us, a single location such as the old county health department, makes the most sense. That would save money and simplify the process, and there would be no confusion as to where to go if you need to visit a testing site without going to a health care center.
News Tribune