Colorful houses in winter with the words 'Test the Season' in red script.

Free at-home COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution Event

Be safe this holiday season! Franklin County Public Health in partnership with local fire departments is hosting a drive thru Test the Season event.  Pick up your free BinaxNow Rapid At-Home Test-Kits at the locations listed below.

  • When: Monday, December 20, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Details: Free of change! No forms to fill out; no ID needed. Limit six (6) per person, as supplies last.
  • Where: Drive-thru at Mid-Ohio Food Collective, 3960 Brookham Dr, Grove City, OH 43123
  • Pick-up Locations:
    • Grandview: 151 Goodale Blvd
    • Jackson Township: 3650 Hoover Rd
    • Mifflin Township: 2459 Agler Rd, 475 Rocky Fork Blvd, 501 Beecher Rd, 422 McCutcheon Rd
    • Truro Township: 6900 E. Main St
    • Upper Arlington: 3861 Reed Rd
    • Westerville: 400 W. Main St
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Symptoms

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Fever or chills

Coughing

Cough

Shortness of breath icon

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

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Fatigue

Muscle Pain icon

Muscle or body aches

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Headache

Loss of Smell icon

New loss of taste or smell

Sore Throat icon

Sore throat

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Congestion or
runny nose

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Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea icon

Diarrhea

If you or someone you know is experiencing the emergency warning signs for COVID-19, seek emergency medical care immediately. Some signs include persistent pain or pressure in the chest, severe difficulty/trouble breathing, confusion, bluish lips or face, inability to wake or stay awake.

Where Can I Be Tested?

Interactive map
of testing sites

and pick up locations
for individual
At Home Rapid Test Kits

Home Test Self Report Form

for Franklin County Public Health & Columbus Public Health Residents

Learn
more

if you've been exposed
to COVID-19 or
are sick

FAQs

Who should get tested?

Man getting his temperature taken while in his car by a healthcare professional wearing personal protective equipment (PPE)The following people should get tested for COVID-19:
      • People who have symptoms of COVID-19.
      • People who have come into close contact with someone with COVID-19 should be tested to check for infection:
        • Fully vaccinated people should be tested 5 days after their last exposure.
        • People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested immediately when they find out they are a close contact. If their test result is negative, they should get tested again 5 days after their last exposure or immediately if symptoms develop.
      • People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who are prioritized for expanded community screening for COVID-19.
      • People not fully vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccine who have been asked or referred to get testing by their school, workplace, healthcare provider, state, tribal, local or territorial health department.
      • How can I report my at-home test results? Franklin County residents can do that through our Self Report Form.

Who does not need to be tested?

The following people who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 do not need to get tested if they do not have COVID-19 symptoms:

What is the difference between a diagnostic (or PCR) test and antibody testing?

What it does: Doctors use this test to diagnose people who are currently sick with COVID-19.

How it works: This test uses a sample of mucus typically taken from a person’s nose or throat. The test may also work on saliva — that’s under investigation. It looks for the genetic material of the coronavirus. The test uses a technology called PCR (polymerase chain reaction), which greatly amplifies the viral genetic material if it is present. That material is detectable when a person is actively infected.

COVID-19 Testing Guidance FAQ from ODH

What it does: Antibody tests identify people who have previously been infected with the coronavirus. They do not show whether a person is currently infected. This is primarily a good way to track the spread of the coronavirus through a population.

How it works: This is a blood test. It looks for antibodies to the coronavirus. Your body produces antibodies in response to an infectious agent such as a virus. These antibodies generally arise after four days to more than a week after infection, so they are not used to diagnose current disease.

Where can I find helpful testing tips for BinaxNOW at-home COVID-19 tests?

    •  

Where can I get tests for people who are blind or have low vision?

The Administration for Community Living has information about COVID-19 tests available for people who are blind or have low vision.

LEARN MORE IF YOU'VE BEEN
EXPOSED OR ARE SICK