The St. Louis County Library is more than doubling the number of locations where residents may pick up free COVID-19 test kits.
Starting Wednesday, the St. Louis County Library announced that it is temporarily adding four new branches to the test kit distribution network, in partnership with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, who is providing the kits.
Wednesday’s expansion includes several sites in South County, which the Department of Public Health has identified as an area where COVID is spreading faster than the county average.
Also starting Wednesday, the health department is increasing the number of test kits available per day per branch from 25 to 100.
The four new branch locations where test kits can be picked up include:
• Cliff Cave Branch, 5430 Telegraph Road, 63129
• Grant’s View Branch, 9700 Musick Road, 63123
• Meramec Valley Branch, 1501 San Simeon Way, 63026
• Oak Bend Branch, 842 S. Holmes Ave., 63122
In addition to the four new locations, test kits continue to be offered at the following branches:
• Weber Road Branch, 4444 Weber Road, 63123
• Lewis & Clark Branch, 9909 Lewis-Clark Blvd. St. Louis, 63136
• Rock Road Branch, 10267 St. Charles Rock Road St. Ann, 63074
Residents must make appointments to pick up a test kit at any of the branches by calling 314-994-3300. In-person reservations are not accepted. Kits are available for curbside pick-up at the designated branch. The hours for pickup by phone appointment are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
Each kit contains a PCR saliva test with instructions. The kits must be returned to a health department drop-off site for testing. Library facilities do not accept samples for testing.
Test kits can be dropped off at the South County Health Center, 4580 S. Lindbergh Blvd., the John C. Murphy Health Center at 6121 North Hanley and the North Central Community Health Center at 4000 Jennings Station Road. Residents can drop off their test samples at one of the three facilities between 8 a.m. and 4:40 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday.
“One of our most important tools in fighting COVID-19 is testing,” County Executive Sam Page said in a press release. “It helps public health experts know how widespread the virus is, and it allows those who have been exposed to the virus or with symptoms to determine their status and take the necessary precautions.”
The Eureka Fire Protection District, in partnership with the Department of Public Health, will also distribute free COVID-19 test kits to the public Feb.9 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Eureka Community Center, 333 Bald Hill, 63025.
Testing by appointment continues to be offered at all three of the Department of Public Health centers. Information on how to make an appointment for testing can be found at ReviveSTL.com.
The library also continues to host weekly COVID-19 vaccine clinics at four branches. Information about the vaccine clinics can be found here.
“The number of COVID cases reported each day is falling. That’s good news. However, the virus is still spreading throughout the community,” Page said. “We cannot let up on our mitigation efforts that include vaccines, masking and testing. The effective mitigation efforts will get us to where we want to be – a place where COVID-19 is not a driver in our daily decision making.”
