BinaxNOW Archives - Missourinet

Last call for Missouri schools to request rapid COVID-19 tests from the state

October 20, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

Missouri K-12 public and private schools who want rapid COVID-19 tests must request them by Wednesday, October 21, at noon. Applications should be submitted to the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). The department will then work quickly to get the BinaxNOW antigen testing to schools.

Last call for Missouri schools to request rapid COVID-19 tests from the state

The tests are not as uncomfortable as other nasal swab versions and they give results in about 15 minutes. They are supposed to be used on symptomatic school workers first and then students.

During a press conference last week at Truman Medical Center in Kansas City, Gov. Mike Parson said the new testing could be a “game-changer” for Missouri.

“Testing is the key to how we move forward, whether it’s the economy, whether it’s the school systems, whether it’s public safety, whether it’s everyday lives. We just have got to keep expanding,” said Parson.

Missouri has received about 120,000 of the tests so far from the federal government with another 1.6 million designated for the state.

“Eighty-nine percent of the kids in the state of Missouri are in school – in classrooms as we speak or a hybrid version across the state. So, I think those are important,” said Parson. “I think every expert, everybody you would talk to, believes those kids should be in school. So, we’ve got to make sure that we get the testing.”

The state’s colleges and universities will have the chance to apply soon to also get the antigen tests.

Missouri K-12 schools can click here for more information about applying.

Missouri to get rapid COVID-19 tests for long term care centers and schools

September 16, 2020 By Alisa Nelson

The federal government plans to deliver more than 150 million rapid COVID-19 tests around the country. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) spokesperson Mallory McGowin says long term care centers and higher education and K-12 schools will be at the top of the priority list. She expects the tests to come to Missouri in waves later this fall.

Missouri to get rapid COVID-19 tests for long term care centers and schools

During Tuesday’s state Board of Education meeting, McGowin said the tests are not as uncomfortable as other nasal swab versions and they give results in about 15 minutes.

“Being able to test a symptomatic member of your school staff to know if he or she could come into work that morning or not, could be really valuable to address the workforce issue we’ve heard great concern about,” she said.

Missouri has had ongoing problems with keeping teachers around and the shortage is expected to be even greater during the pandemic.

The breakdown of how many tests Missouri will get and when the state will have them available for use is in the planning stages.

“We are working with the statewide COVID response team to develop the plans, and guidance, etc. for this new line of effort. Just trying to really advocate for realistic use of our existing time and resources to make that happen at the school level,” McGowin says.

The BinaxNOW antigen tests detect proteins on the surface of the virus.