Marion Twp & Hancock Public Health Commissioner Offer Free COVID-19 Testing with Ohio National Guard

Testing costs covered by CARES Act

On October 14, 2020, Marion Township in Hancock County offered free COVID-19 testing in coordination with the Ohio National Guard and the Hancock Public Health Commissioner. No insurance cards or co-pays were required, as the cost of the testing was covered by the CARES Act.

The event was publicized beforehand with live interviews and announcements on six radio stations and several TV news cycles, as well as via print ad (see photo). The township’s local radio station also provided live on-site coverage during the event.

240 residents were tested during the event. Each person tested received a special bag that included a free bottle of hand sanitizer with the township seal on the bottle. Additionally, one of the Marion Township trustees owns a Culver’s and provided free ice cream sundae coupons to all those who were tested.

When testing concluded that evening, a representative collected and delivered the specimens to a lab in Columbus, with results to return as early as 24 hours later.

On the tail-end of that successful event, the township also held a drive-thru flu shot clinic at the Township House on October 22 in coordination with the Health Department.

Details and photos provided by Jeanie Ploeger, Marion Township Fiscal Officer

This first appeared in the November/December 2020 issue of the Ohio Township News magazine. Contact the OTA at communications@ohiotownships.org with any questions or for reprint permissions.