With COVID-19 cases disappearing and children returning to school, it would be an illusion to pretend that there will be no need for coronavirus testing this fall.
Too bad, then, that a government online page providing loose home tests to Americans is shutting down soon. As of Friday, single tests will no longer be available through COVIDTests. gov, USA Today reported.
Biden’s management said it had to restrict the distribution of evidence because Congress approved investments to fill the country’s reserves.
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The online page launched in January because the Biden administration acquired 500 million expired COVID-19 tests last year to help combat the wave of cases caused by the omicron variant. The government has distributed more than 600 million tests across COVIDTests. gov since its launch, according to USA Today.
However, the tests are still distributed through a variety of other means, adding thousands of federally backed websites, such as libraries and pharmacies, and through network fitness centers. Individuals can also be reimbursed through personal and public fitness insurance plans.
COVID-19: Government suspends orders for loose COVID tests due to limited supply
Here are some places in Greater Columbus where you can still get tested, buy COVID-19 tests at home, or receive more information about local resources.
The Ohio Department of Health compiles a directory of network testing and fitness centers that provide COVID-19 testing. In Franklin County alone there are about two hundred indexed locations, and those come with network clinics, pharmacies, and urgent care centers.
The directory can be in coronavirus. ohio. gov/wps/portal/gov/covid-19/dashboards/other-resources/testing-ch-centers.
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center provides rapid testing and PCR. People can schedule an appointment on the MyChart app or call 614-293-4000. Testing is done at the Ohio State primary care provider or one of the center’s immediate care locations.
However, tests are no longer sent to the hospital’s emergency branch unless a patient has significant symptoms of COVID-19, such as shortness of breath, and admission to the hospital is scheduled, according to the center’s website.
OhioHealth’s Number One Care Workplaces offer on-site COVID-19 testing for symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. People can call their doctor’s place of business to find out more highlights and make an appointment. Testing will take place at one of OhioHealth’s laboratory service sites for asymptomatic individuals. Patients will need to have a prescription from the provider to get tested at one of those sites.
In addition, the organization’s emergency care services are testing for COVID-19, but this is for patients with symptoms.
Most chains, such as CVS and Walgreens, require appointments for testing, either PCR or rapid. Call or check online for more details. Many also have home tests to buy.
The Columbus Metropolitan Library lately has no inventory of COVID-19 tests, according to media specialist Ben Zenitsky. However, the library plans to do testing next week.
Worthington Libraries and the Delaware County District Library report that testing is exhausted.
Journalist Dean Narciso and USA Today journalist Maureen Groppe contributed to this article.
mwalker@dispatch. com
@micah_walker701