CLEVELAND — As Ohio continues its response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the effects of the omicron variant, it will be shifting resources from Northeast Ohio to other parts of the state.
According to a release sent by Gov. Mike DeWine, the Cleveland Community COVID-19 test site at University Circle's Walker Building will cease operations after Sunday, January 23. The state cited a decrease in testing demand as the reason for the closing.
Nearly 25,000 people have received COVID-19 tests at the site since it opened on December 21. The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio National Guard have been working collaboratively with Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals to operate the site.
Additionally, Summit County’s drive-thru testing location in Akron closed last week. The site, which opened on Dec. 28 and performed approximately 11,892 tests over 18 days, was operated by Summit County Public Health, Akron Children’s Hospital, Cleveland Clinic Akron General, and Summa Health with Guard support.
The Ohio National Guard will be redeployed into other areas in the state that are seeing increased need for staffing at COVID-19 test sites. The following testing locations are being supported or are preparing to be supported by the Guard:
- Athens: (Holzer) 2131 E. State St., Athens.
- Canton: (Aultman/Cleveland Clinic Mercy), Stark County Fairgrounds, 305 Wertz Ave. NW, Canton.
- Chillicothe: Adena Regional Medical Center, 272 Hospital Rd., Chillicothe.
- Cincinnati: (Ethos Laboratories), Crossroads Church, 990 Reading Rd., Mason.
- Cincinnati: (Ethos Laboratories), Riverbend, 6201 Kellogg Ave., Cincinnati.
- Cincinnati: UC Health, 321 Albert Sabin Way, Cincinnati.
- Cleveland: Walker Center (Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals), 10524 Euclid Ave., Cleveland. (through Sunday Jan. 23)
- Columbus: (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), first floor of the CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Rd., Columbus.
- Dayton: (Premier Health) Miami Valley Hospital, 1 Wyoming St., Dayton.
- Gallipolis: (Holzer) 2881 State Route 160, Gallipolis.
- Jackson: (Holzer) 500 Burlington Rd., Jackson.
- Mansfield: Avita Ontario Hospital, 715 Richland Mall, Mansfield.
- Maumee: Lucas County Recreation Center, 2901 Key St., Maumee.
- Pomeroy: (Holzer) 88 East Memorial Dr., Pomeroy.
- Springboro: Dayton Children’s Hospital Springboro COVID-19 testing site, 3300 W. Tech Road, Springboro.
- Toledo: UAW Local 12, 2300 Ashland Ave., Toledo.
- Zanesville: Genesis Hospital, 2951 Maple Ave., Zanesville.
Guard deployments to date include 14 medical teams (about 140 Guard members) and 185 general support teams (about 1,850 Guard members). Of the general support teams, 17 (about 170 Guard members) are providing support at testing centers, according to the Ohio National Guard.
Previous Reporting:
- Summit County Public Health to close COVID-19 drive-thru testing site due to decrease in demand
- Ohio expands to 12 COVID-19 testing locations with support from Ohio National Guard
- Members of Ohio National Guard deployed to Cleveland area medical facilities to help strained medical staff during COVID-19 surge
