An expanded COVID-19 testing program in Cincinnati is off to a rocky start.
Mayor Aftab Pureval announced the expansion last week in response to a significant surge in cases, saying spread of the virus is worse than any previous time in the nearly two-year pandemic.
Two sites were expected to open Monday at 8 a.m., but officials announced a delayed start and reduced hours going forward. A city spokesperson says the changes were necessary because of staffing and logistics.
Free testing is available Monday at the African American Chamber of Commerce until 4 p.m. Another site is open at Corinthian Baptist Church from 1-4 p.m. (see the full schedule below).
Since the original announcement last Thursday, the program has been reduced from six testing sites to five, and hours have been shortened by two hours each day. The sixth site was inadvertently listed, according to the agency.
Cincinnati Health Commissioner Melba Moore says the new testing sites were chosen to reach minority populations.
"Throughout this entire pandemic we've been looking at the data, we've been seeing where the low numbers are, the high social vulnerability index," Moore said. "To see where people are to see where people weren't getting vaccinated, and really looking at where the cases were falling."
The sites include:
African American Chamber of Commerce
2303 Gilbert Ave. #100, 45206
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Every Monday until further notice (exceptions below)
- Monday, January 10: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, January 17: closed due to MLK holiday
- Wednesday, January 19: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Corinthian Baptist Church
1920 Tennessee Ave., 45237
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Every Monday until further notice (exceptions below)
- Monday, January 10: 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, January 17: closed due to MLK holiday
- Wednesday, January 19: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
New Prospect Baptist Church
Tuesdays & Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Until further notice
1580 Summit Rd., 45237
Truth & Destiny Church
Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Until further notice
2645 W North Bend Rd., 45239
Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio
Fridays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Until further notice
3458 Reading Rd., 45229
Each site will operate one to two days a week until further notice
Moore says they plan to expand testing to more sites.
"All of our partners will be reporting to us what activities that they're seeing and we'll scale it up until we plateau," Moore said.
Those seeking tests at these sites will not have to show proof of city residency. The Ohio Department of Health will operate the test clinics and provide all funding, staff and laboratory needs.
Mayor Pureval also announced last week he is reconvening a COVID-19 task force with 14 members.
"The task force will meet on a daily basis to discuss response case numbers, how COVID is impacting the city workforce, and what actions need to be taken," he says.
The group includes:
- Assistant City Manager Sheryl Long
- Assistant City Manager John Juech
- Assistant City Manager William Weber
- Cincinnati Board of Health Director Dr. Edward Herzig
- Health Commissioner Melba Moore
- Asst. Health Commissioner Domonic Hopson
- Asst. Health Commissioner Maryse Amin
- Interim Nursing Director Jill Byrd
- Cincinnati Recreation Commission Asst. Director Lathel Bryant
- Cincinnati Fire Department's Asst. Chief Sherman Smith
- Cincinnati Risk Manager Deb Allison
- Cincinnati Police Department's Lt. Col Theetage
- Cincinnati Health Department Command Call Center's Sonya Williams
- Cincinnati Health Department Epidemiologist Meriel Vigran
City Manager Paula Boggs Muething implemented a mandate for city workers last fall, requiring full COVID vaccination or regular testing. The initial plan called for weekly testing, but supply shortages forced a switch to biweekly testing.
Boggs Muething says as of last Thursday, 70% of the city's 6,000 employees are vaccinated.
"We are encouraging eligible city employees to get booster shots, which the CDC believes is very effective against the omicron variant," she said.
So far, just 10 cases of the omicron variant are confirmed in Cincinnati, but Moore says she's confident there are more. The dominant strain in this area is still delta.
Pureval says he's confident the current policy for city employees is working, and he's not considering a stricter mandate at this time.
See below for a full COVID-19 report from the Cincinnati Health Department:
Cincinnati COVID-19 Report: Jan. 6, 2022 by WVXU News on Scribd
