Western Missouri Medical Center (WMMC) in Warrensburg has opened an evaluation and testing site for patients showing symptoms for COVID-19 such as fever, cough and shortness of breath as determined by a physician.
A news release says if you think that you might have COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has recommended that you do not walk into the nearest clinic for testing. This will help healthcare professionals protect themselves and other patients. Instead, you should call your primary care physician (PCP) to report symptoms. If you do not have a PCP, call the Warrensburg Express Care at (660) 262-7580. A doctor’s order is needed to run a COVID-19 test. If you have orders to be tested, WMMC has established a designated testing site in the east parking lot off of Gay Street.
Once your provider determines testing is necessary, you will first be tested for the flu. If the flu test is negative, you will then be tested for COVID-19. You can expect to wait up to three to four days for the results. In the meantime, you will be given self-quarantine instructions.
“We are committed to keeping both patients and the public safe,” says Darinda Dick, President/CEO. “By implementing this process, we are preventing the spread of COVID-19. There is no issue more important to us than making sure we manage this situation as effectively as possible.”
The CDC does not recommend well people to wear facemasks to prevent exposure to COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases. Masks should be worn by people who show signs of the disease, so they prevent the spread of the disease to others.

Photo courtesy of Western Missouri Medical Center.