Rapid at-home COVID tests are in short supply after holiday gatherings and a nationwide test shortage. Public libraries have been handing out those test kits but they are going out the door as soon as supply comes in.
Michelle Francis with the Ohio Library Council says libraries distributed just under 339,000 free COVID tests from March to September, and they handed out more than 583,000 tests in the first 23 days of December alone.
“This is literally something that we haven’t seen in this pandemic. The tests are flying off the shelves if they even make it that far,” said Francis.
Francis suggests watching social media sites for local libraries for when new kits will arrive or calling before making a trip.
Local health departments also report it’s tough to keep tests in stock. Some drug stores might have tests available for purchase but report they are selling out quickly. There’s no word on when the supply will come close to meeting the demand.
