Free COVID-19 testing offered by appointment only Monday in Sikeston

SIKESTON — A drive-thru COVID-19 testing is slated for June 8 at the parking lot of Southeast Missouri State University in Sikeston.

Scott County Health Department Administrator Barry Cook said he learned early Thursday the Missouri National Guard will assist with administering 300 COVID-19 testing kits from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. by appointment only.

“It’s free and individuals who want to get tested do not have to display any symptoms of COVID-19,” Cook said.

Individuals who want to get tested must fill out an application online to schedule an appointment. As of mid-day Thursday, Cook said he did not have the link yet for individuals to make appointments, but he would notify media and post it on the health department’s Facebook page as soon as he receives it.

The testing site will be similar to the one conducted Thursday in Cape Girardeau, Cook said.

In the meantime, Cook encouraged residents to continue efforts to minimize the spread of COVID-19.

“We need to continue to social distancing,” Cook said. “Just because things were relaxed form the state standpoint as far as reopening, we still have to be vigilant. Case numbers in Scott County and our surrounding counties are still going up – don’t get lax.”