OHIO — Gov. Mike DeWine announced Monday that the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio National Guard and the Ohio Hospital Association will be expanding COVID-19 testing locations in nine Ohio cities, including new sites, starting this week.
The additional locations will be mobilized with support from the Ohio National Guard personnel, according to DeWine’s office.
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The locations are intended to divert testing traffic from hospital emergency rooms as the state is experiencing the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations during the pandemic.
“As the demand for COVID-19 testing increases, adding to the pressure our hospitals are facing, members of the Ohio National Guard will continue to play a critical role in the state’s response,” said Governor DeWine. “I commend Guard members for their commitment to their fellow Ohioans as they answer the call to serve.”
Around 300 members of the guard will provide support at the additional testing sites, which will be operated in partnership with Ohio hospitals and health networks.
Last week, DeWine ordered an additional 1,250 members of the Ohio National Guard to support the state’s hospitals. In total, there are 2,300 members working with Ohio’s healthcare systems. The majority of members will remain in hospitals providing direct clinical care and non-clinical support.
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DeWine’s office said the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Hospital Association are evaluating the situation in hospitals daily to ensure Guard members are assisting in locations with the most need.
The Ohio National Guard has either been deployed or will soon be deployed to support the following testing locations:
NOW OPEN:
- Cleveland: Walker Center (Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals), 10524 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.
- Akron: Atrium Testing Site (Summa Health), 1077 Gorge Blvd., Akron.
- Columbus: (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), first floor of the CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Road, Columbus.
COMING SOON:
- Canton
- Zanesville
- Mansfield
- Chillicothe
- Toledo
- Springfield
- Cincinnati
- Dayton expanding capacity at existing testing locations.
DeWine’s office said more details about the testing sites will be coming.