![]() In the meantime, Ohioans who need a COVID test and can’t find one might be able to get a PCR test through pharmacies, medical clinics, health departments, and doctors’ offices.īut hospitals are telling people looking for tests to stay away from overcrowded emergency rooms unless they have symptoms that need immediate attention. The federal government is ramping up efforts to make 500 million rapid tests available nationwide later this month, free of charge. (WSYX) 0 COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) The message from health leaders, test before you. These tests are especially effective in providing access to testing for our vulnerable populations. The Columbus Library on South High Street says they are officially out of at-home COVID test kits. For more information about the Columbus Metropolitan Libraries, click here. Mike DeWine said there will be more of those in the future. Community Access The state is working with local health departments, public libraries, community health centers and other community partners to make rapid tests both at-home and onsite available and accessible to Ohioans. To get a COVID-19 test, call 61 to check availability before visiting, he said. There are mass testing sites with PCR tests administered by medical professionals, and Gov. At this time, the public can pick up a free rapid testing kit at one of 95 community health centers, 122 local health. Since that time, test kits have been hard to come by.Ī dashboard on the Athens County Public Library website shows if certain branches have COVID-19 tests available. Columbus Metropolitan Libraries also received 32,000 tests. It’s a work in progress but I don’t have any updates at this time,” Francis said.įrancis said Ohio’s libraries handed out more than 583,000 test kits between December 1 and December 23. “We continue to have conversations with the Ohio Dept of Health. The Ohio Library Council’s Michelle Francis said she’s unsure when libraries will get more of the at-home rapid COVID test kits. Most of Ohio’s libraries have been without COVID tests since before Christmas, as those test kits have been in short supply. The hotline number is 1-833-4-ASK-ODH or 1-83.It’s still hard to find rapid COVID test kits at Ohio’s librariesĬOLUMBUS, Ohio (Statehouse News Bureau) - Ohio continues to see some of the highest COVID case rates during this pandemic. Ohio's coronavirus call center is open to answer questions from 8 a.m. Avoid contact with people who are sick.Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands. Cover your mouth with a tissue or sleeve when sneezing or coughing.Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are unavailable.Franklin County Westerville Public Library, 126 S. Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds dry hands with a clean towel or air dry hands. Greater Columbus area libraries participating in the COVID-19 testing program You can find a full list of testing places here.The Ohio Department of Health makes the following recommendations to protect yourself from illness: "The scientific evidence that early social distancing can help stop the spread of the coronavirus is a compelling factor in taking this precautionary step on behalf of our customers, staff and the community during this pandemic."Įarlier this week, the library took the step of canceling all classes, programs, meetings and events at its branches through at least March 31.ĭuring the shutdown, digital library resources including eBooks, eAudiobooks, magazines, movies and music as well as research and learning tools will remain available through the library's website. More than100,000 at-home kits have been given out since the beginning of the year. "This decision was not made lightly," library CEO Patrick Losinski said in a statement. At-home test kits are available for free at all 23 branches of the Columbus Metropolitan Library. There are almost 200 locations listed in Franklin. The library said that it was closing to help stop the spread of the coronavirus among its customers, staff and the larger community. Ohio Department of Health The Ohio Department of Health compiles a directory of testing and community health centers that provide COVID-19 tests. The closures are scheduled at least through April 6. Friday due to the coronavirus, or COVID-19. The Columbus Metropolitan Library is closing all of its locations at 6 p.m.
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