Kauffman Stadium extends free COVID testing site as surge continues in Kansas City

A temporary coronavirus test site at Kauffman Stadium will stay open longer as COVID-19 cases continue to surge across the Kansas City metro.

The free testing, which launched Jan. 10 at the home of the Kansas City Royals, will continue into next week, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Those hoping to get tested must pre-register online to make an appointment, which are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Testing will take place at the stadium parking lot at 1 Royal Way.

On the first day of testing, Jan. 10, hundreds of people waited for hours to be tested. Others, despite having appointments, said they were turned away due to the long lines.

COVID-19 case numbers have not slowed in the Kansas City area, although experts have predicted that a decline in cases could be approaching. Even when they do, it will take additional time for hospitalization rates to drop afterwards.

On Friday, data tracked by The Star showed that on average, 3,795 new COVID-19 cases were identified in the metro area per day over the last seven days.

The same day, The University of Kansas Health System announced it was treating 124 patients with active COVID-19 infections. A total of 203 patients were either fighting or recovering from the disease — an all-time high for the hospital.

Other KC testing sites

Testing through the state is also available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Monday, Thursday and Friday in the parking lot of Heavy Construction Laborers #663 at 7820 Prospect Avenue in Kansas City.

An additional site is open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in the parking lot of Teamsters Local #955 at 4501 Emanuel Cleaver II Boulevard in Kansas City.

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The Star’s Natalie Wallington contributed.