A free drive-thru Covid-19 testing site will open on Tuesday in Cleveland, Ohio.
“The site, which is located at the W.O. Walker Building will be staffed by the Ohio National Guard and Ohio Department of Health,” read a joint news release. Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals will support the community Covid-19 testing site.
The site will open Tuesday and initially operate through Sunday of this week, but will be closed on Dec. 25, according to the release.
“The testing is free, open to everyone and individuals do not need a doctor’s order to obtain a test. The site will offer PCR tests, and individuals will receive their results in approximately 2-3 days,” the release said.
Additionally, the Ohio Department of Health is offering free rapid at-home antigen testing kits at many sites across Ohio, according to the release, including local health departments, public libraries, and community health centers.
Due to a surge in Covid-19 infections and an increased demand in healthcare services, particularly in emergency departments, Greater Cleveland’s hospital systems said it will limit coronavirus testing in emergency departments to patients who are going to be admitted to the hospital, according to the release.
On Friday, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced that he had mobilized the state’s National Guard to “help meet critical needs at hospitals and testing locations,” according to a news release from his office.
The governor mobilized 1,050 members of the Ohio National Guard to “help relieve the hospital staffing strain caused by the rising number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients,” according to the release.
“Of the total mobilized guard members, approximately 150 are highly-trained medical professionals and will deploy to help meet critical needs at hospitals and testing locations,” the release said. “The remaining 900 guard members will help with patient transport, housekeeping, and food services.”
