The availability for COVID 19 testing is back in the spotlight due to the Omicron variant. There’s an opportunity for free testing today in Joplin. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

As of Wednesday afternoon, according to data from the Missouri Department of Health COVID 19 dashboard, residents tested by PCR averaged a positivity rate of 34.4%, while those tested using Antigen tests were testing positive 20% of the time. That’s an average COVID-19 positivity rate statewide of 27.7%.

This morning at 10 a free opportunity for COVID-19 testing is taking place at the Joseph Newman Innovation Center located at 407 Pennsylvania Ave located across the street from the Joplin Health Department. Testing is operated by the Missouri Department of Health. No pre-registration or government-issued ID is required. The testing site is open every Thursday from 10 am until 6 pm. Visit health.mo.gov/communitytest for more information. For 89 9 KRPS, I’m Fred Fletcher-Fierro