Libraries in Greene County giving out free home tests for COVID-19
Kits available at all branches through curbside service.
The Greene County Public Library system started giving out free at-home COVID tests this week after the state bought two million of them.
The public library, in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, will distribute Abbott BinaxNOW Rapid COVID-19 antigen at-home test kits for free. Kits are available at all seven libraries through no-contact curbside service.
“Access is at the core of our mission, and with libraries across the county, we are excited to partner with ODH to deliver these test kits,” said Greene County Public Library Executive Director Karl Colón. “COVID-19 has not only meant finding new ways to do the things we normally do as a library, but finding new ways to do the things that our community now needs.”
Patients will be able to self-administer the test while a proctor guides them using telehealth services without leaving their homes. These at-home tests are
size of a credit card and normally cost about $25, but the libraries are distributing them for free. Test takers can get results in 15 minutes.
Dr. Patrick Lytle, vice pres- ident of clinical outcomes at Kettering Health Network, said these at-home COVID tests have a place in the fight against the coronavirus, but they are not an absolute diag- nosis.
The majority of hospitals are doing PCR tests, which take longer to process, but are more accurate. Antigen tests are cheaper and less accurate, Lytle said, but can give quick results.
“There are higher rates of false negatives with the antigen test than with the PCR test,” Lytle said.
Lytle said he would advise people with COVID symp- toms to take the test, if they’re positive, then it is likely accurate. If they get a negative test result and are still feeling symptomatic, they should seek further evaluation by their doctor.
“It has to be put into the clinical scenario,” Lytle said.
Following directions on the at-home test is critical to getting an accurate test result.
“If they don’t swab right, that test is worthless,” Lytle said. “The better the spec- imen, the higher probabil- ity that the test will be more accurate.”
Anyone can pick up a test kit, said Greene County Public Library spokesman Evan Scott.
“If you’re thinking of trav- eling, you could pick one up for you and your family members. Or if you just got a new job and need a COVID test to go into the office, you could get one,” Scott said. “There are all kinds of prac- tical uses for these tests.”
Lytle said that for some- one taking a trip who hasn’t been exposed to someone with COVID, the test is a good way to have peace of mind before traveling. Places like hospitals or doctor’s offices will likely prefer someone get a PCR test, since those are most reliable.
Scott said the Greene County Public Library is the only site in the area to have these at-home tests.
To get a test, residents will need to park in a Greene County Public Library “curb- side pick up only” spot and call the designated number that is posted in the park- ing lot. Once on the phone, inform library staff you are picking up COVID testing kits. There is no need to call ahead for an at-home COVID test.
About 70 people picked up a test the first day they were available, Scott said.
Getting an accurate test result requires test takers to have a Windows or Mac laptop with a microphone, speaker and webcam or a desktop computer with an adjustable webcam and an Apple or Android phone or tablet. Two devices are needed so that test takers can scan a QR code.
Test takers must also have an email address and an internet connection. Test takers will need to down- load the NAVICA app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play App Store and create an account.
Those without access to these resources are encouraged to call eMed customer support at 844-943-0753.
Ohio has reported fewer than 2,000 daily cases of coronavirus for 14 straight days, according to the Ohio Department of Health. In the last 21 days, Ohio has only reported more than 2,000 cases a day twice.
The state recorded 1,458 cases Wednesday for a total of 993,681.
One in five Ohioans, or 20.80% of the state’s population, has received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine as of Tuesday, according to the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio residents 40 and older and those with cancer, chronic kidney disease, heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and obesity will be eligible for the COVID vaccine starting Friday. On March 29, eligibility will open to all Ohioans 16 and older.
Currently, the Pfizer vaccine has only approved for those 16 and older and the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson vaccine are authorized for ages 18 and older in the U.S.