Results for drive-thru coronavirus testing in Lucas County could take as long as eight days to finalize as state and local officials are asking the public not to “fixate” on testing and treat symptoms as if they have the disease.
Toledo-Lucas County Health Commissioner Eric Zgodzinski confirmed the drive-thru testing that launched Tuesday at Toledo Botanical Garden in West Toledo is taking “anywhere between 72 [hours] to almost seven, eight days,” to receive results.
“It depends on some of those tests,” he said. “...We’re utilizing private labs, so again, they are across the country. Ohio Department of Health does have testing capability, but at this point in time, those are for the most severe individuals.”
Mr. Zgodzinski on Wednesday also echoed sentiments from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and state health director Dr. Amy Acton, who have urged Ohioans to shift their focus away from the amount of testing available, admitting that the availability is “limited,” and will likely remain that way.
“Case numbers are important but only to a certain extent,” Mr. Zgodzinski said. “We all must realize that the virus is here.”
As of Wednesday, Ohio had 88 confirmed coronavirus virus. There is currently one confirmed case in Lucas County.
Some states like Massachusetts and Arizona are providing test results in 24 hours. The Cleveland Clinic developed its own in-house test that takes eight hours to complete.
Check back for updates.
First Published March 19, 2020, 4:52 p.m.