The Wood County Health Department is working with partners across the county and Ohio Department of Health to make free COVID-19 at-home test kits available for residents who wish to use them before getting together with family and friends to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday.
“Taking a rapid test shortly before your Thanksgiving celebrations can help to keep your loved ones healthy,” said Ben Robison, Wood County Health Commissioner, in a news release. “If you test positive for COVID or feel sick, stay home so you don’t pass your illness on to your family and friends.”
Free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests are available at Wood County Health Department in Bowling Green, senior centers, as well as public libraries including: North Baltimore, Pemberville, Rossford, Walbridge, Way in Perrysburg, Wayne, Weston and Wood County District Public Library in Bowling Green.
Rapid tests are also widely available for purchase through pharmacies and retail outlets.
According to the health department release, you should use an at-home test if:
• You have COVID-19 symptoms. If you have symptoms of COVID, stay home even if you get a negative result on an at-home test and avoid being around others until you are symptom-free.
• You were exposed to someone with COVID-19. Take the test at least five days after the exposure.
• You are going to a large indoor event (such as a wedding or holiday gathering). Test immediately before the gathering.
• You will be around someone who is at higher risk for serious illness.
Anyone who tests positive or has symptoms of COVID should take precautions to isolate from others.
Now is also a good time to get a flu shot and an updated bivalent COVID booster shot if eligible. For more information on COVID tests and COVID vaccine clinics, go to woodcountyhealth.org and click on “Information on COVID-19” for details.
