As new COVID-19 cases are increasing again, Hamilton County Commissioners are announcing the launch of three new COVID-19 community testing sites. These new Test and Protect locations will provide COVID-19 testing for Hamilton County residents on a zero-out-of-pocket cost, walk-up basis. Newport-based Ethos Laboratories, which has provided diagnostic services to local schools, nursing facilities, city governments, performance venues, and others throughout the pandemic, was selected in a competitive process by the County to administer the $1.2 million program using American Rescue Act Plan Funding.
"COVID-19 is still with us, testing is a big part of the solution," said Stephanie Summerow Dumas, President of the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners. "As the federal programs paying for some testing and vaccinations are coming to an end, Hamilton County continues to provide free testing and free vaccinations through Hamilton County Public Health, for those who are uninsured."
"We want to make sure citizens in Hamilton County have access to free COVID testing with our locations listed on TestandProtectCincy.com," said Commissioner Alicia Reece. "Hamilton County has been forward-thinking in providing robust community testing and with federal options dropping off, Hamilton County is once again filling the gap."
"We need to test more in order to keep hospital visits down," said Commissioner Denise Driehaus. "These new community testing sites allow the County to ensure that critical testing resources continue to be available to residents in convenient locations at no-cost."
The three new community testing sites include:
- Quinn Chapel Forest Park
10998 Southland Road
Forest Park, Ohio
Hours: Monday through Friday, from 9:00am to 5:00pm
- Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's Price Hill Branch
970 Purcell Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45205
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday 10:00am to 6:00pm
- Cincinnati & Hamilton County Public Library's Corryville Branch
2802 Short Vine St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45219
Hours: Thursday and Friday from 10:00am to 6:00pm
County officials stressed that while protection from vaccinations and from prior infections have reduced both the severity and prevalence of new COVID-19 infections, further efforts are needed to stay ahead of the virus. Newly emerging coronavirus strains - including the highly transmissible Omicron BA.2 sub-variant that now accounts for over 85% of all new infections nationwide - are being monitored by public health experts with extreme vigilance.
"We're thrilled that Hamilton County has chosen to partner with Ethos on these new testing sites," said Ethos Laboratories CEO Brian Kincaid. "We're going to be here, standing with the County and the Greater Cincinnati community until this pandemic is finished once and for all."
Original source can be found here.
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