COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Ohio reports its highest spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations and people continue to test positive for the virus, another pandemic issue has presented itself: COVID-19 tests are becoming increasingly harder to find.
Demand for the tests spiked during the holidays, as people rushed to test negative before making the trip to visit loved ones and at-home COVID-19 tests are still hard to come by.
In order to help get people tested, Gov. Mike DeWine announced more Ohio National Guard members have been deployed to testing locations around the state.
The Biden administration has launched a website where anybody in the U.S. can sign up to have four free COVID-19 tests sent to their home.
Many are still struggling to access tests amid the increase in demand. 10TV has compiled a list of locations and information to make your search that much easier. Just keep reading for what to know:
Columbus Public Health
Columbus Public Health announced last month it ran out of tests and they are still waiting for supplies from the state.
Columbus Metropolitan libraries will soon implement a new system to let people know when tests are in stock. A banner at the top of the library's website will detail test availability. From there, you will be asked to call the curbside number in the library's parking lot, and employees will bring the test to your car.
Drive-thru locations
Ohio State Wexner Medical Center (appointment needed):
CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Road. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
The Ohio National Guard is also helping with 11 other locations throughout the state, which can be found here or at the bottom of this story.
Hospitals & urgent care locations
Adena:
You can call Adena's COVID-19 hotline at 740-542-7233 to answer screening questions. You will be given instructions from there.
Qualified patients can get a curbside COVID-19 test at the following locations:
- 740-420-3151
- Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 166 Summit Avenue, Circleville
- 937-393-7630
- Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 160 Roberts Lane, Hillsboro
- 740-395-8050
- 1000 Veterans Drive
- Jackson, OH 45640
- 740-779-4000
- Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.
- 55 Centennial Blvd., Chillicothe
- 740-941-5100
- Open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- 12340 State Route 104, Waverly
Mount Carmel:
Anyone who is experiencing mild symptoms or has a known exposure to COVID-19 can get a PCR test at Mount Carmel East between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. You must schedule an appointment, which you can do here.
You can also get a test at both Mount Carmel urgent care locations. You are asked to contact them for more information on how to receive your test at the location:
- Mount Carmel Urgent Care East: 614-986-7752
- Mount Carmel Urgent Care Grove City: 614-871-7130
OhioHealth:
OhioHealth offers drive-thru testing locations across central Ohio. Hours for the locations are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those locations are:
- OhioHealth David P. Blom Administrative Campus: 3430 OhioHealth Pkwy, Columbus, OH 43202
- By OhioHealth Doctors Hospital 5157: W Broad St, Columbus, OH 43228
- Pickerington Medical Campus: 1010 Refugee Rd, Pickerington, OH 43147
- Near Graham Auto Mall in Mansfield: 1700 Nussbaum Pkwy, Mansfield, OH 44907
- By Marion post office: 278 West Barks Rd, Marion, OH 43302
- Athens: 30 Herrold Ave, Athens, OH 45701
- Orient: 9085 Southern Point, Orient, OH 43146
Testing at all OhioHealth Urgent Care locations is limited to patients with symptoms. Anyone who is asymptomatic can schedule a video visit here or schedule a test on your MyChart account.
Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center:
Those who want to schedule a test at Ohio State can log in to their MyChart account here.
There is also a drive-thru testing site on the first floor of the CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Road. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m, Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday. You must make an appointment to get tested. You can make an appointment by logging into your MyChart account here.
The hospital system says on their website the emergency department is no longer providing COVID-19 tests for patients unless the patient has significant symptoms such as shortness of breath or hospital admission is expected.
Ohio Department of Health
ODH's website has a map of Ohio showing testing locations, where to get a rapid test and other resources. You can also locate a pharmacy, testing location or health center to take or find a COVID-19 test.
Retail stores & pharmacies
CVS: You can see your testing availability/access a test by visiting the CVS website. Just provide your zipcode for a list of nearby locations, then answer a series of questions. CVS will provide you with testing spots based on availability of which test you're looking for.
Giant Eagle: People can book an appointment for a COVID-19 test online on their website. Pharmacy hours vary, but most are open at 8 or 9 a.m. and close at 8 or 9 p.m.
Kroger: Several at-home COVID-19 tests can be purchased at a Kroger pharmacy, depending on availability, or online. You can see a list of tests sold here.
Meijer: Meijer's website offers three different at-home COVID-19 test kits and says whether they are available in the store you have selected.
Target: Target offers three at-home COVID-19 tests according to their website. The website will say whether the test is available at the store you have selected.
Walgreens: Walgreens offers several different brands of COVID-19 testing kits which can be purchased in-store or online at their website and shipped to your home. Most products say you must visit the store to check to see if it's available. You can also find a drive-thru testing location here.
Walmart: Walmart has about a dozen different COVID-19 testing kits that you can either pick up in the store or ship to your home. You can go to their website, select a Walmart store and it will show you which tests are available and which ones can be shipped.
Testing sites statewide
The Ohio Department of Health is in the process of expanding COVID-19 testing sites to cities across the state. The Ohio National Guard either has been or will soon be, deployed to all of those locations. Below is a list of sites currently open:
- Athens: (Holzer) 2131 E. State St., Athens
- Chillicothe: Adena Regional Medical Center, 272 Hospital Road, Chillicothe
- Cincinnati: (Ethos Laboratories), Riverbend, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati
- Cincinnati: (Ethos Laboratories), Crossroads Church, 990 Reading Road, Mason
- Cincinnati: (Ethos Laboratories), Crossroads Church East, 4450 Eastgate South Drive, Cincinnati
- Cincinnati: UC Health, 321 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati
- Columbus: (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), first floor of the CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus
- Dayton: (Premier Health) Miami Valley Hospital, 1 Wyoming St., Dayton
- Gallipolis: (Holzer) 2881 State Route 160, Gallipolis
- Jackson: (Holzer) 500 Burlington Road, Jackson
- Mansfield: Avita Ontario Hospital, 715 Richland Mall, Mansfield
- Maumee: Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee
- Montgomery: (Ethos Laboratories), Weller Park, 10021 Weller Road, Montgomery
- Pomeroy: (Holzer) 88 E. Memorial Drive, Pomeroy
- Springboro: Dayton Children’s Hospital Springboro COVID-19 testing site, 3300 W. Tech Road, Springboro
- Springfield: (Clark County Combined Health District and City of Springfield), 2501 E. High St., Springfield
- Toledo: UAW Local 12, 2300 Ashland Ave., Toledo
- Zanesville: Genesis Hospital, 2951 Maple Ave., Zanesville
Free at-home tests
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order four free at-home COVID-19 tests. Orders will usually ship in 7-12 days.
Order at: covidtests.gov
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