Where can I get a COVID-19 test in Portage County? Here's a simple guide.

Staff Report
·4 min read
An at-home COVID-19 test
An at-home COVID-19 test

Holiday get-togethers, travel and new COVID variants are creating a demand for COVID tests in Portage County and across the nation.

President Joe Biden is expected to announce Tuesday the purchase of a half-billion, at-home rapid COVID-19 tests and the mobilization of 1,000 military medical personnel to overburdened hospitals in an effort to confront surging COVID-19 infections and the new, highly-transmissible omicron variant.

The plan will allow Americans to get free, at-home tests by mail by requesting them through a new website.

Because that option won't be available before the holidays, here are some places in Portage where you can get tested or pick up an at-home test.

Portage County Health District

The Portage County Health District continues to offer free community PCR COVID-19 testing at The New Center at NEOMED, 4209 Route 44 in Rootstown, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays through Dec. 31.

Testing is walk-in, with no appointment necessary, but online preregistration using the QR code is available for quicker testing. Information is available online.

There are no out-of-pocket costs and test results can be expected within 48 hours.

The health district no longer has at-home tests available for pick up.

Reed Memorial Library, Ravenna

Free at-home tests are available through the drive-thru at Reed Memorial Library in Ravenna. For proof of results, tests must be performed step-by-step with a virtual proctor using a laptop or computer with a web camera or microphone. Call the library at 330-296-2827 to make sure they have tests available. The library is located at 167 E. Main Street.

AxessPointe Community Health Center Kent

Testing is available by appointment only at AxessPointe. The clinic is at 143 Gougler Ave. 330-673-1016

Rite Aid Pharmacy

COVID tests are available by appointment at the Rite Aid pharmacy in Garrettsville, 10764 North St. 330-527-2828. Appointments are limited. Testing is also available at the Rite Aid locations in Cuyahoga Falls and Tallmadge.

Walgreens

Limited appointments are available at the Walgreens stores in Kent, 320 S. Water St.; Streetsboro, 9166 Route 43; and Stow, 2086 Graham Road. As of noon on Tuesday, there were no appointments available at the Ravenna and Aurora locations. Appointments are required and testing is administered through the drive-thru. Walgreens has the PCR test, the rapid diagnostic ID Now test and the rapid antigen BinaxNOW test.

cvs

CVS Pharmacy offers drive-thru testing at its locations in Kent, 500 S. Water St.; Streetsboro, 4807 Route 43, Mogadore, 3 N. Cleveland Ave.; and Stow, 3352 Kent Road. As of noon on Tuesday, here were no appointments available prior to Christmas and limited appointments starting on Sunday, Dec. 26.

CVS offers PCR/NAAT, the rapid-result PCR and the rapid-result antigen test

Meijer Pharmacy

The Meijer Pharmacy at 247 Tallmadge Road in Brimfield offers the Rapid Molecular NAAT test by appointment at its drive-thru pharmacy window.

University Hospitals

University Hospitals is offering free tests for anyone with or without symptoms without a doctor's order at the W.O. Walker Building 10524 Euclid Ave., Cleveland from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Friday and on Dec. 26. Registration is required.

Anyone experiencing symptoms can go to the Kent Urgent Care center at 411 Devon Place for a PCR test.

Ravenna Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic

Testing is available for veterans who are enrolled in VA health care and meet CDC criteria for testing. An appointment is required. The clinic is located at 6751 N. Chestnut St., Ravenna. 330-296-3641

Kent State University

No-cost BinaxNOW self-test kits are available to the Kent State community while supplies last at the following locations.

  • Henderson Hall, Room 216

  • Moulton Hall, Room 131

  • University Libraries first floor circulation desk

  • Kent Student Center information desk

  • Beverly J. Warren Student Wellness and Recreation Center welcome desk

  • Center for Visual Arts, Room 240

  • Center for Performing Arts, Room B141

  • Bowman Hall, Room 105

  • Cartwright Hall, Room 145

  • White Hall, Room 408

Call the Dewesse Health Center’s pharmacy at 330-672-2322, ext. 3 for information and to check on availability.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: COVID-19 tests can be hard to find. Here's where to get one in Portage