COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio residents can get free, rapid COVID-19 tests at many local libraries throughout the state.
During the month of August, 246 library locations provided more than 53,000 tests statewide.
Earlier this year, the Ohio Department of Health purchased 2 million rapid at-home tests with the intention of making the tests publicly accessible statewide. The state then partnered with local agencies, including the Ohio Library Council, to make the tests available to anyone for any reason. Since February 2021, the state has made nearly 160,000 tests available for libraries to rovide to their communities.
“As the Delta variant spreads across the state and our students and teachers head back to school, there has been renewed interest in testing for COVID-19,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “These tests – and Ohio’s amazing network of public libraries – make it easier than ever for Ohioans to get tested and to ensure that we are limiting the spread of the Delta variant.”
The Abbott BinaxNOW Home Test can be provided to individuals for at-home use and is packaged with a telehealth session to oversee test administration and result reporting.
Those individuals who want to be tested will need to create an account using the NAVICA smartphone app or at mynavica.abbott. A person with a test should go to ohio.emed.com to start a testing session.
“Our mission is to be a community resource and providing these tests is a great fit," said Michelle Francis executive director of the Ohio Library Council. “Just about everyone knows where their local library is and it’s a trusted and welcoming place. Ohioans are accustomed to going to libraries for much more than books and we’re proud to make these available.”
Since purchasing the rapid at-home tests, Gov. DeWine and ODH have been creating an infrastructure for rapid testing. That includes testing through many local health departments, schools, libraries, and community centers.
“Until more people are vaccinated, testing will be an important tool, and we are committed to making it easy to access,” said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, director of ODH. “Our partnerships with libraries to make the at-home rapid tests accessible and convenient are a real breakthrough in our ability to get as many Ohioans tested as possible.”
COVID-19 vaccines are widely available throughout the state.