Partner Resources
Free COVID-19 Testing (6/10/2020)
We’re excited to share that Columbus Public Health is now offering free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing in partnership with Mount Carmel, OhioHealth and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. Anyone in the community with symptoms can now get a free test, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Columbus Public Health (240 Parsons Ave.).
Testing is critical to preventing the spread of COVID-19 and helps saves lives. If you’re sick, it’s important to get a test as soon as possible to protect yourself, your loved ones and the community. Here’s what you need to know about COVID-19 testing at Columbus Public Health:
- You don’t need health insurance to get a free test. You can find out more about enrolling in health coverage through Medicaid or the Marketplace here.
- You don’t need a doctor’s referral, but registration and appointments are recommended. Community members can call Columbus Public Health at 614-645-1519 to register or for any questions.
- If you test positive for COVID-19, a public health employee will call you and ask questions about where you have been and who you have been in close contact with. This is called contact tracing, and the information gathered is only used to contact potential cases so they can be quarantined to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
In addition to Columbus Public Health, nine other community sites throughout Columbus are also offering free COVID-19 testing. You can find a list of test sites by visiting www.columbus.gov/coronavirus
Health & Prevention
State and National Mask Guidelines
Ohioans are being asked to wear cloth masks while in public, as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Wearing a mask will not prevent someone from contracting COVID-19, but it can help prevent them from spreading it to others -- especially if they have it, but are not yet showing symptoms. Wearing a cloth mask in public is not mandatory, but it is strongly recommended. Cloth masks are not a substitute for social distancing, but rather, it is a complement to social distancing.
View helpful DIY tips to make your own mask
More Health & Prevention Resources
Ohio Department of Health (ODH)
- Frequently Asked Questions (ODH)
- How you can prevent and prepare (ODH)
- Coping with COVID-19 anxiety (ODH)
- How you can respond (ODH)
- COVID-19 checklists (ODH)
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
COVID-19 and your pets
Humane Society of the United States
National Animal Control Association