Ohio changes priorities for distribution of COVID home tests from libraries to schools

If you're waiting for your local library or health department to get more rapid COVID-19 home tests in stock, you might be waiting a while longer. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) says it is changing its priorities and will be diverting incoming stock to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities.

The state's health department says it had previously ordered 1.2 million antigen tests to be distributed free of charge through libraries and local health departments in the month of January but, so far, only 400,000 of those have been distributed.

ODH says shipments of the remaining 800,000 proctored test kits have been put on hold by the manufacturer as demand for them has increased nationwide. ODH expects to receive shipments later this month but says when they arrive, they will be given to schools, not libraries and health departments.

The antigen tests are a critical tool to help ensure in-person learning can continue in Ohio's schools, ODH said in a press release, so it's important they have access to these tests to make sure kids and teachers can stay in class.

The demand for COVID-19 tests in schools as well as the community at large continues to climb. In recent days, there have been mass testing sites opened in cities throughout the state where Ohioans can get PCR tests performed by a medical professional.

In addition, the tests will be available for purchase in pharmacies throughout the state, and starting this Saturday, private insurers will be required to cover the costs for those tests.

ODH says once schools have what they need, the state will once again send test kits to libraries and local health departments.

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