Testing & Treatment
Getting Tested for COVID
Updated November 28, 2023Getting tested is important if you have symptoms that could be from COVID. If you’re sick, getting treatment early can help prevent serious illness. With the expiration of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, private insurance companies are no longer required to cover COVID-19 tests without cost sharing, both for at-home and laboratory tests.
You may want to check the expiration date of your at-home test kits. Some tests can be used well past the printed expiration date on the box. The shelf-life is how long the test should work as expected and is measured from the date the test was manufactured. The expiration date is set at the end of the shelf-life. In some cases, the expiration date for a test may be extended. Manufacturers test their kits for accuracy beyond their printed expiration dates and share the results with the FDA.
Some COVID-19 at-home tests have extended expiration dates. Click here to see if the expiration date for your at-home OTC COVID-19 test has been extended.
First find the row in the below table that matches the manufacturer and test name shown on the box label of your test. If the expiration date has been extended, then the Expiration Date column states "Extended Expiration Date" and links to a document that lists the lot numbers, original expiration dates, and the extended expiration dates.
Tests not listed that have expired shouldn't be used. Expired tests are likely to give false results as the test and the parts they are made of may degrade, or break down, over time. If a test kit isn’t listed or is well over the extended expiration date, it can just be tossed out in the trash. If the test is just over the extended expiration date, hold on to it. The expiration date may be extended in the near future.
At-Home COVID Test Kits
Wood County Health Department has COVID rapid tests available for the public. Test kits are available at the Vital Statistics desk, the Health Center and the Environmental Health office.
Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order an additional 4 free at-home tests beginning November 20. If you did not order tests this fall, you may place two orders for a total of 8 tests. Your order of COVID tests is completely free – you won’t even pay for shipping. Click here to order your free at-home COVID tests.
Free COVID-19 at-home tests continue to be available at Wood County Health Department. Use an at-home test if you’re exposed to COVID or have symptoms and stay home if you’re sick.
Most pharmacies and retailers offer at home COVID tests for sale.
On-site testing
Most pharmacies and other retail stores have test kits available for purchase. You can also check with your health insurance provider to see what they offer. Private health insurance may reimburse the cost of buying at-home test kits.
Getting Treatment for COVID
The FDA has authorized certain antiviral medications to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in people who are more likely to get very sick. Your health care provider can determine options that may be best for you based on your medical history.
People who are more likely to get very sick include older adults (ages 50 years or more, with risk increasing with older age), people who are unvaccinated and people with certain medical conditions, such as a weakened immune system. Being vaccinated makes you much less likely to get very sick. Still, some vaccinated people, especially those who have other risk factors for severe disease, may benefit from treatment if they get COVID-19.
Medications to treat COVID-19 must be started as soon as possible after diagnosis to be effective. Contact a healthcare provider right away to determine if you are eligible for treatment, even if your symptoms are mild.
Expand this section for information on where treatments are available.
Oral Antiviral Treatments
There are two ways to get oral antiviral treatments
Get a prescription from your health care provider: Many pharmacies in Wood County can fill a prescription from your health care provider for oral antiviral treatments, including Paxlovid or Lagevrio (molnupiravir). You can bring a prescription from your healthcare provider and get medications filled at these locations.
Bowling Green:
CVS Store #10248, 212 E. Wooster St.
Rite Aid # 07728: 740 S. Main St.
Wood County Hospital, 950 W. Wooster St.
Walmart Pharmacy #1913, 131 W. Gypsy Ln.
Walgreens #10868, 1013 N. Main St.
Kroger Pharmacy #01600878, 1094 N. Main St.
Wood County Community Health Center, 1840 E. Gypsy Lane Rd. (Paxlovid only)
Meijer #156, 211 E. Wooster St.
Perrysburg:
Costco Pharmacy #1194, 26400 Dixie Hwy. (Paxlovid only)
Walmart Pharmacy #4479, 10392 Fremont Pike
Rite Aid 02326, 1175 Louisiana Ave.
Kroger Pharmacy #01600548, 27322 Carronade Dr.
Walgreens Store #09409, 1003 Fremont Pike
Use the Test to Treat Program: Some pharmacies can provide faster, easier access to antiviral medications through the Test to Treat program. At these locations, you can see a health care provider, and if eligible, get a prescription for an oral COVID-19 treatment and have that prescription filled—all at one location.
These are locations with testing, medical visits and medications all in one location.
Kroger Pharmacy #01600878, 1094 N. Main St. Bowling Green
o The Little Clinic: 419-373-6687
o Info: https://www.kroger.com/health/pharmacy/covid-19-treatment
o Schedule an appt: https://www.kroger.com/health/clinic/schedule-appointment
Kroger Pharmacy #01600548, 27322 Carronade Dr. Perrysburg
o The Little Clinic: 567-336-4662
o Schedule an Appt: https://www.kroger.com/health/clinic/schedule-appointment
o Info: https://www.kroger.com/health/pharmacy/covid-19-treatment