![The car line for drive-up COVID-19 testing in University Circle Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. [Stephanie Czekalinski / Ideastream Public Media]](https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/8ef29be/2147483647/strip/true/crop/980x551+0+0/resize/840x472!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2Flegacy%2Fuploads%2F2022%2F1%2F06%2FUniversity%20Circle%20testing%20site%20SIZED.png)
The community COVID-19 testing site at the W.O. Walker building in University Circle is now testing as many as 1,300 people per day after getting off to a rocky start shortly before Christmas.
On Wednesday, National Guard members directed traffic and a line of cars progressed steadily throughout the day. Patients in line reported waiting only 15 minutes to get their test.
The site is being operated by ODH and the Ohio National Guard.
“As you know, Northeast Ohio, including the greater Cleveland area, is experiencing a large influx of COVID-19 patients in hospitals, as well as many people seeking COVID-19 testing at emergency rooms. This testing location is helping to offload pressure on Cleveland-area hospital systems,” the spokesperson wrote in an email.
Those who need a test are asked to stay away from hospital emergency rooms. ERs in Northeast Ohio are no longer providing tests to patients who are not admitted to the hospital.
To get tested you must register for an appointment online.
