New COVID testing locations announced

Eight Ohio cities are getting new or expanded COVID-19 testing locations, according to an announcement from Gov. Mike Dewine on Monday.

Three locations, in Cleveland, Akron and Columbus, have already opened:

● Cleveland: Walker Center (Cleveland Clinic and University Hospitals), 10524 Euclid Ave.

● Akron: Atrium Testing Site (Summa Health), 1077 Gorge Blvd.

● Columbus: (Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center), first floor of the CAS parking garage at 2540 Olentangy River Road

The governor plans to open new locations for Canton, Zanesville, Mansfield, Chillicothe, Toledo, Springfield, Cincinnati and expand capacity in Dayton soon.

The additional testing sites comes as Ohio continues to break records for COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations. The new testing sites will be supported, in part, by members of the Ohio National Guard, according to the announcement.

“As the demand for COVID-19 testing increases, adding to the pressure our hospitals are facing, members of the Ohio National Guard will continue to play a critical role in the state’s response,” Dewine said in a statement. “I commend Guard members for their commitment to their fellow Ohioans as they answer the call to serve.”

The additional sites will also be getting support from the Ohio National Guard. Dewine recently mobilized about 2,300 guard members to help understaffed hospitals across Ohio.

Anna Staver is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau. It serves the Columbus Dispatch, and 20 other news organizations across Ohio.