Coronavirus: DeWine expands criteria for getting tested, to anyone in community with symptoms

COLUMBUS — Gov. DeWine started his Thursday press conference by announcing the expansion of criteria for getting tested for COVID-19.

There were previously three categories for testing. The first covered hospitalized patients and health care employees, the second covered people at high risk for contracting COVID-19. and the third was patients who required essential surgery and were to be tested before the procedure.

This new fourth category covers anyone in the community with symptoms.

This expanded category will allow anyone in the community with symptoms to get a COVID-19 test.

He also announced the expansion of testing centers.

He asked the Ohio Board of Pharmacies to clarify the role of pharmacists in their ability to give COVID-19 tests.

Wednesday, the board updated their guidance on HSS rules that pharmacies could now order and administer COVID-19 tests.

This will expand the criteria for getting tested and allow anyone in the community who has symptons to get a test.

The governor also announced that they would be adding a map onto the Ohio coronavirus website to show all testing centers in Ohio to include community health centers and retail centers like CVS.

He is also working to ensure Medicaid covers pharmacy’s COVID-19 tests.

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