Those looking to take a COVID-19 test before Christmas might have difficulty finding one. The rapid tests once available by heading to the neighborhood pharmacy have all but disappeared.
Health officials said there are a number of reasons a potential shortage of COVID-19 Test kits is happening right now.
One of the main reasons is people wanting to make sure they don't have the virus before congregating with family and friends for the holidays, and also the emergence of the new omicron variant that doctors say is much more contagious than previous strains.
Dr. Amy Imm, a critical care specialist at OhioHealth, said testing is available but you might have to do a little research.
"I know through OhioHealth and I suspect through Mount Carmel in Ohio State, we have mechanisms for you to order your own test or show up at one of our drive-thru centers. We've all been taking the steps necessary to remove the barriers to testing as much as possible," said Dr. Imm.
The Ohio Department of Health's COVID-19 website offers a listing of various testing locations.
