ST. LOUIS — The fast-spreading omicron variant sent COVID-19 numbers into record territory in the St. Louis area and across the country.
While the surge of new cases at the start of 2022 has started to decrease, cases continued to remain high and many residents are still searching for testing options. With at-home kits sold out in stores and online, drive-thru testing sites that don’t require appointments are making a comeback in the St. Louis area – and attracting long lines of people.
Leaders and health care officials in the St. Louis area continue to stress the importance of getting tested for COVID-19. Whether you’ve been exposed to someone who already tested positive or you’re showing symptoms of illness, health officials say getting tested is key to determining how it’s spreading in the St. Louis community.
Urgent cares around the St. Louis area are offering on-site testing. State and local health departments also have several options for residents to get a free COVID-19 test. And the federal government has made testing available at several big-name pharmacies.
5 On Your Side compiled several of the larger-scale options below, and how you can get an at-home test for free.
*Note: Testing sites may close at times for inclement weather. Please use the related links below to check for updates.
Free at-home tests from U.S. government
The Biden administration has launched a website where anybody in the U.S. can get four free COVID-19 tests sent to their home.
Sign-ups are open on the website.
Four tests can be shipped per household, not per person. The White House said when announcing this plan that more tests could go out at some point to each household, but that depends on supply.
These tests are not designed to be shipped out to your house once you start feeling sick. The White House says “tests will typically ship within 7-12 days of ordering” through the U.S. Postal Service.
Free COVID tests for Missouri residents
The state of Missouri has free at-home tests available for residents. However, due to significant demand, daily supplies are limited.
Residents can check the state's testing kit website for updates. Every day, 500 kits will be available, a spokesperson confirmed with 5 On Your Side. Once the daily allotment has been claimed, orders will be paused for the day. Residents are urged to try again the next day.
The tests require users to take a sample and mail it to a lab using a prepaid FedEx shipping envelope.
Free COVID tests in St. Louis County
The St. Louis County Department of Public Health is partnering with several branches of the St. Louis County Library to help distribute COVID-19 tests for free.
Anyone can reserve and pick up saliva tests at the following locations by appointment only:
- Cliff Cave Branch 5430 Telegraph Road St. Louis, MO 63129
- Grant’s View Branch 9700 Musick Road St. Louis, MO 63123
- Lewis & Clark Branch 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63136
- Meramec Valley Branch 625 New Smizer Mill Road Fenton, MO 63026
- Oak Bend Branch 842 S. Holmes Ave. St. Louis, MO 63122
- Rock Road Branch 10267 St. Charles Rock Road St. Ann, MO 63074
- Weber Road Branch 4444 Weber Road St. Louis, MO 63123
They are available for curbside pickup Monday through Friday, with a limited supply per location each day.
Kits are limited to two per person and can only be reserved by calling 314-994-3300. In-person reservations will not be accepted. It's recommended to call at 9 a.m. to get a kit. It's open to anyone, not just St. Louis County residents.
Saliva kits also will be available Feb. 14-15 and Feb. 17-18 at the North County Recreation Complex from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No appointments are necessary; residents can drive up to the site on 2577 Redman Ave. and the kits will be brought to their car.
About 1,000 kits will be distributed again at the Eureka Fire Protection District Wednesday, Feb. 16. The tests are available for free and no appointments are needed, just show up at 333 Bald Hill Road to receive a kit. The tests are provided by the health department.
The used tests then need to be dropped off at one of the drive-thru testing sites operated by the county's health department. Results will be available within 24-72 hours.
Sites sponsored by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services:
Monday-Friday, Feb. 7-28 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Louis Community College – Forest Park
5600 Oakland Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63110
*Appointments required
Every Monday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
IBEW Local #1, parking lot
5850 Elizabeth Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Every Tuesday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Omega Center
3900 Goodfellow Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63120
*This is an indoor testing site. Surgical or medical-grade masks are required.
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
First Baptist Church
3700 State Hwy 47
Winfield, MO 63389
Every Wednesday
*The site at the Hillsboro Community Civic Center closed effective Feb. 10 due to decreased demand
Every Thursday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
IBEW Local #1, parking lot
5850 Elizabeth Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
Every Friday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Warren County Fairgrounds
615 Fairgrounds Road
Warrenton, MO 63383
*Due to decreased testing demand, the last day for this site will be Feb. 18
Every Saturday 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Machinist Lodge #777, parking lot
12365 St. Charles Rock Road
Bridgeton, MO 63044
These state-sponsored events use PCR tests that are sent to a lab for processing. "Results will be available as soon as possible, but no later than 72 hours from the event," Missouri's website states.
The sites above are for the St. Louis area. To see a full list of state-sponsored testing sites located throughout Missouri, click here.
Additional sites in St. Louis County
John C. Murphy Health Center
Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
6121 N. Hanley Road No. 2003
St. Louis County, MO 63134
*Appointment required
South County Health Center
Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
4580 S. Lindbergh Boulevard
St. Louis County, MO 63127
*Appointment required
North Central Health Center
Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fridays, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
4000 Jennings Station Road
St. Louis County, MO 63121
*Appointment required
North County Recreation Complex
Mondays-Thursdays, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fridays, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
2577 Redman Avenue
St. Louis County, MO 63136
*Appointment required
**Saliva test available with results in 24-48 hours
These St. Louis County-sponsored sites are drive-thru and require appointments. The county also has separate appointments available for those requiring a test for international travel. Click here for more information on all testing options.
Additional sites in the City of St. Louis
Affinia Healthcare - ULSTL Peter Bunce Campus
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 - 11 a.m.
2125 Bissell Street
St. Louis, MO 63107
CareSTL Health - Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
Feb. 14-18, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
5471 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
St. Louis, MO 63112
Click here for more details.
CareSTL Health - Pope Avenue
Feb. 14-17, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
4500 Pope Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63115
Click here for more details.
CareSTL Health - Riverview Boulevard
Feb. 14-18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
5541 Riverview Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63120
Click here for more details.
CareSTL Health - Whittier Street
Feb. 14-18, times vary
2425 N. Whittier Street
St. Louis, MO 63113
Click here for more details.
St. Louis City building
Feb. 14-16, 7a.m. - 5 p.m.
1520 Market Street
St. Louis, MO 63103
Reservations available
Click here for more details.
*Rapid antigen, nasal PCR and saliva PCR tests offered
Grand Center
Feb. 14-16, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
3526 Washington Ave
St. Louis, MO, 63103
Reservations available
Click here for more details.
Chippewa Street
Feb. 14-16, 8 a.m. - 9 p.m.
2804 Chippewa St.
St. Louis, MO, 63118
Reservations available
Click here for more details.
Friendly Temple Church
Feb. 14-16, 8 a.m. - 7 p.m.
5515 Dr Martin Luther King Drive
St. Louis, MO, 63112
Reservations available
Click here for more details.
St. Louis Public Library - Walnut Park Library
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, 12 p.m. - 5 p.m.
5760 West Florissant Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63120
For more information on the locations in the City of St. Louis, click here.
Editor's note: This list previously included a testing location at Ballpark Village. KSDK removed this location from the list because of an investigation into operational partner Center for Covid Control in other states. The facility closed to find a new processing partner.
Locations in Illinois
East St. Louis Higher Education Campus
Tuesdays, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.
601 James R. Thompson Blvd.
East St. Louis, IL 62201
Click here for more details.
Triad High School
Thursdays, 3 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
203 E. Throp St.
Troy, IL 62294
*Saliva swab with results available in a day or two
Click here for more details.
St. Clair Square Mall
Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
134 St. Clair Square
Fairview Heights, IL 62208
Click here for more details.
The sites above are for the St. Louis area. To see a full list of state-sponsored testing sites located throughout Illinois, click here.
Pharmacies sponsored by U.S. Health and Human Services:
Many pharmacies are offering appointments to get tested. A full list of locations in Missouri, Illinois and the rest of the U.S. can be found here.
Urgent care systems offering testing
Total Access Urgent Care and 24/7 Urgent Care both offer COVID-19 tests.
24/7 Urgent Care does not take appointments, but director Dr. Sonny Saggar said the least busy time to get tested is between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. The 24/7 Urgent Care website said "almost all insurers" cover rapid and PCR COVID-19 tests, but you should check with your own provider. Click here for more information.
Total Access offers testing at all St. Louis area locations. They accept walk-ins or you can check in online ahead of time. Four area locations also offer appointments for rapid tests, but appointments can only be made up to two days in advance. Check with your insurance provider to see if tests are covered under your plan. For more information, click here.