CLEVELAND — Editor's note: the video in the player above is from a story published on December 11, 2020.
MetroHealth and Cuyahoga County have partnered to spearhead an exciting new initiative to rapid-test essential workers for COVID-19.
The Northeast Ohio hospital system announced the news on Thursday afternoon in a press release sent to 3News.
“This rapid testing will allow us to test paramedics, police officers, and others before they go into work and have the results in about 15 minutes,” said MetroHealth CEO and President Akram Boutros, MD, FACHE. “This will help limit the spread of COVID-19 in the community, and is another example of MetroHealth working collaboratively to protect our neighbors.”
The county will use roughly $2.4 million of CARES Act funding to purchase testing supplies and equipment.
“Rapid testing is essential to us as we manage this phase of the COVID crisis,” Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish said. “We are pleased to support this rapid testing program. Every dollar spent on testing gets us closer to ending this national nightmare.”
The tests will be administered by MetroHealth caregivers, who will travel to various workplaces.
The county has already administered more than 14,000 free COVID-19 tests to Cuyahoga County residents in a partnership with MetroHealth.
“We look forward to learning from this pilot in coordination with our essential public safety partners,” Terry Allan, Cuyahoga County Health Commissioner.