CINCINNATI, Ohio —  As Southwest Ohio continues to see a rise in coronavirus cases, pop-up testing sites are allowing people to get tested in hotspot areas where tests are free to those who need it.

What You Need To Know


  • Hundreds of people waited in line for hours for free coronavirus tests in Forest Park in North Cincinnati

  • The zip code 45240 was one of the hot spots identified for a potential outbreak by Governor DeWine

  • Many people waited in their cars for up to four hours and others waited in the walk-up line for a couple of hours

  • Hamilton County Public Health said they expected up to 1,000 tests to be administered on Tuesday

Hundreds of people lined up at a pop-up testing site in Forest Park in Northern Cincinnati because the zip code 45240 was identified as a potential hotspot.

Hamilton County Interim Health Commissioner Greg Kesterman said while currently only seven percent of tests are yielding a positive result, most people are seeking reassurance they don’t have the virus with a negative result.

Cars were lined up for blocks in Forest Park, as people waited to be tested for the coronavirus.  People were even waiting in line outside of their cars to trim down the wait time. One of those individuals was Forest Park resident Ron Henry.

“Four-hour car line, an hour and a half maybe walk-up,” Henry said. “So, we’d rather just walk up and save the gas, be done with it and go back home.

Henry said he doesn’t currently have symptoms, but is concerned because his zip code popped up as a hot spot.

“Peace of mind kind of thing,” he said. “We do the social distance when we go to the grocery store or hardware store, but you never know. I myself believe it’s airborne, so you never know how it’s coming.”

Kesterman said this testing site could see up to 1,000 tests administered Tuesday, which would help track and isolate the spread of the virus.

“We wanted to make sure we provided testing access to this community, so seeing a large turnout means that people are interested in getting tested,” Kesterman said. "We really appreciate that they’re coming out today in those numbers.”

For most of the people being tested at this site, their results will be processed and determined between 48 and 72 hours. Kesterman said Hamilton County Public Health will be watching the numbers very closely.

“We know we have a lot of positive cases right now. Some of it’s because of the increase in testing, but we are also seeing increases in hospitalizations, as well as intensive care unit admissions. So, we will be watching those numbers to make sure our hospitals have the necessary capacity.”

But to limit the spread of the virus, he said we all have to do our part by wearing masks and maintaining social distancing practices.

As for the actual test itself, Yvonne Henry said it wasn’t too invasive.

“The actual test wasn’t bad,” Yvonne said. “It stings for just a little bit and then that’s it.”

But they both say it’s important for everyone to wear a mask, —something they say young people aren’t doing.

“They’re not following the rules,” Yvonne said. “They don’t really wanna wear a mask. And I really can’t understand that because they tell you the mask is to protect other people, but it protects you too. So why wouldn’t you want to?”

“Getting in large crowds with a lot of people with no mask is definitely a disaster waiting to happen,” Ron said.

Pop-up testing sites throughout Ohio are located in underserved areas, but are open to anyone. More information on these locations can be found at the Ohio Department of Health website.