COLUMBUS, Ohio — COVID-19 testing providers in Ohio say they’re working hard to make at-home rapid tests available to the public, but sometimes, the exceedingly high demand is pushing resources to the limit.

​​​Eighteen months into the pandemic, many Ohioans want convenient testing options with quick results, and the state’s 2-million dose supply of rapid, at-home antigens is being distributed out of Columbus to health departments and libraries to offer at no cost. 

But amid the latest wave of COVID-19, these popular tests aren't as easy to find as they were during the summer.

Columbus and Cincinnati libraries have temporarily exhausted their supply of test kits in recent weeks, but they are typically being restocked within several days, officials said.

“Earlier this summer we were distributing between 100-200 per week throughout our library system. Just last week, however, we distributed more than 6,300,” Columbus Metropolitan Library spokesperson Ben Zenitsky said. 

Hamilton County Commissioner Denise Driehaus said during a press conference Wednesday that residents are seeking tests for a variety of reasons during the current virus surge. 

“Many people are interested in getting tested, whether it's for going back to school after they've been quarantined, or going to work, or traveling, or going to a concert. There is an increased demand right now for testing,” she said. 

The Cincinnati and Hamilton County Public Library is out of tests, but Driehaus said the officials were working with the Ohio Department of Health to get restocked by the end of the week. She said the health department is also offering the tests at some of its vaccine sites, with supplies in stock.

Summit County Public health said Tuesday it was limiting the at-home rapid tests to one per person, citing high demand. The health department has also temporarily run out of tests this month, but kits were in stock as of the last update. 

Madison County Health Commissioner Chris Cook said the health department implemented a limit this week of three test kits per household.

“We're trying to keep the supply steady, but I can tell you we are struggling a little bit here in Madison County to meet that demand,” he said. “We've kind of had to tap the brakes and be careful with the number that we're passing out per household.”

Cook said he thinks the shortages in testing will be temporary as the state works to get more testing supply out to providers. 

The county has distributed 5,000 test kits since January, with more than 4,000 of those given out since Aug. 1. 

“Our demand for test kits has risen exponentially,” he said. “It's incredibly significant the number of people who are seeking testing right now in our county with the limited testing supplies that we have.”

Officials are also hopeful that the 14% positivity rate and 6,600 average daily COVID-19 cases in Ohio will subside from the current high levels, reducing the pressure on testing providers.

Ohio Health Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said earlier in the month that the state had about 1 million at-home tests left. 

The BinaxNow test kits that Ohio purchased in January are manufactured by Abbott Laboratories. The tests are best used by people who are experiencing symptoms within seven days of onset, Cook said. 

The BinaxNow tests, which are self-administered with a virtual proctor, offer about 80% accuracy, he said. 

People can also use the test after exposure, but the timing is crucial. Fully vaccinated people should get tested 3-5 days after exposure, while unvaccinated people should wait 5-7 days, Cook said, cautioning that testing too soon after being exposed and getting a negative can provide a false sense of security.