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Coronavirus In Ohio: Free Testing Now Available At Columbus Public Health

A medical professional performs the COVID-19 test at a drive up testing site in Merrillville, Indiana.
Justin Hicks
/
Indiana Public Broadcasting
A medical professional performs the COVID-19 test at a drive up testing site in Merrillville, Indiana.

It’s a lot easier to get tested for COVID-19 in Ohio now. Gov. Mike DeWine announced that anyone in the state of Ohio can now get tested for coronavirus for free.

Tests were previously limited in Ohio and only available to people with symptons.

Columbus Public Health is now offering free, drive-thru testing for COVID-19 at 10 sites in the city, including its main building at 240 Parsons Avenue on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. People seeking a test do not need health insurance or a doctor’s referral to acquire a free test.

“The increased testing for COVID-19 is an essential part of limiting the spread of COVID-19, so we are glad to hear this news,” Columbus Public Health Assistant Health Commissioner Tiffany Krauss says.

After the recent protests in Columbus, Krauss encourages participants to get tested for coronavirus.

“We would encourage protestors to also get or take advantage now that anyone can get testing,” Krauss says. “Because they have been in large gatherings and so they can protect their health and the health of others by getting tested.”

When Columbus Public Health originally announced its partnership with Mount Carmel, Ohio Health and Ohio State's Wexner Medical Center to increase the number of COVID-19 testing sites, they only planned to test people who had symptoms for the virus.

CVS Health has also announced nine additional drive-thru test sites in the state of Ohio.

Adora Namigadde was a reporter for 89.7 NPR News. She joined WOSU News in February 2017. A Michigan native, she graduated from Wayne State University with a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in French.