About 300 COVID-19 test kits passed out early Wednesday in Massillon

Steven M. Grazier, The Independent
·2 min read
Audrey Sylvester, director of nursing for the Massillon Health Department, hands out a COVID-19 test kit Wednesday morning at the agency's parking lot. Overall, the Health Department passed out 294 kits in about 35 minutes.
Audrey Sylvester, director of nursing for the Massillon Health Department, hands out a COVID-19 test kit Wednesday morning at the agency's parking lot. Overall, the Health Department passed out 294 kits in about 35 minutes.

MASSILLON – It didn't take long for city Health Department workers to divvy out hundreds COVID-19 test kits Wednesday morning.

Altogether, 294 COVID-19 self-testing kits flew out of shipping boxes via health workers into the waiting hands of motorists during a giveaway at the agency's parking lot, 111 Tremont Ave. SW.

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"We ran out after about 35 minutes," said Bethany Perkowski, Massillon's environmental health director, moments after the event concluded. "Hopefully, we'll have another giveaway next week."

Test kits have been flying off store shelves across Stark County amid a record COVID case surge.

Perkowski and Audrey Sylvester, director of nursing for the Health Department, turned away dozens of additional motorists for at least 20 minutes after running out of COVID tests around 9:20 a.m.

Bethany Perkowski, environmental health director at the Massillon Health Department, directs traffic Wednesday morning so motorists could safely enter the agency's parking lot for COVID-19 test kits.
Bethany Perkowski, environmental health director at the Massillon Health Department, directs traffic Wednesday morning so motorists could safely enter the agency's parking lot for COVID-19 test kits.

The omicron variant has helped to cause a surge in COVID-19 cases locally and nationwide, resulting in a higher demand for testing of the virus, according to Sylvester, adding that the Christmas and New Year's holidays have also generated more interest in test kits.

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"We get what the state sends us," Sylvester said. "We typically ask for 500 (kits per shipment) and usually get around 250."

On Wednesday, Ohio health officials reported there were 20,320 new COVID-19 cases throughout the state.

Multiple drive-thru events hosted in Massillon

The Massillon Health Department has hosted five test kit, drive-thru events over the past few months from its parking lot, Perkowski said.

She encouraged folks to check the Health Department's Facebook page frequently for an announcement on the next COVID-19 test kit giveaway.

In addition, residents can also receive a Nixle alert via text message about the next event. To receive the alerts, text MASSILLON to 888777.

Need a COVID-19 vaccination?

The Massillon Health Department continues to schedule COVID-19 vaccination appointments for city residents.

Call the agency at 330-830-1710 to make an appointment or to inquire about walk-in vaccinations.

Reach Steven at steven.grazier@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @sgrazierINDE

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Massillon Health Department passes out nearly 300 COVID-19 test kits.