At UC Health, we lead the region in scientific discoveries and embrace a spirit of purpose – offering our patients and their families something beyond everyday healthcare. At UC Health, we offer hope.
COVID-19 Testing
UC Health provides in-house COVID-19 testing to deliver the right care to our patients by getting more answers sooner.
As Cincinnati’s academic health system, it is our privilege and our responsibility to be a source of hope for those who need it most. One way we offer hope is through expanded COVID-19 testing. UC Health is a regional and state leader in providing testing for our patients and for the community. In-house testing also helps our physician researchers to study COVID-19 so we can better understand how to prevent and treat it.
Emergency Department Care
We are safe. We are open.
Same Care, New Respiratory-Only Entrance
If you come to the emergency department with respiratory symptoms such as a fever, cough, or shortness of breath, you will be seen in our respiratory emergency department. This unit is staffed by emergency department providers and has a separate entrance for these patients.
COVID-19 Symptoms? Call Your Provider
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 but do not have life-threatening symptoms, please first call your provider for instructions. They may tell you to stay home.
Don’t Delay Any Emergency
If you have possibly life-threatening symptoms of other illnesses such as chest discomfort, signs of a stroke, severe weakness or believe you are having any medical emergency, please call 911.
Inpatient Testing
Testing for All Admissions
The health and safety of our patients and employees are our top priority. Because experts are still trying to understand how many people with COVID-19 don’t have symptoms, UC Health is testing all of its admitted patients at UC Medical Center and West Chester Hospital.
Drive-Thru Testing (Through Doctor’s Order Only)
In addition to testing our admitted patients, UC Health provides drive-thru testing on its Clifton and West Chester campuses. At this time, drive-thru testing is currently available for ages 14 and older with a UC Health provider’s order and by appointment only.
Please talk to your UC Health provider if you believe you need a test. Your provider will schedule this test for you if you are age 14 or older. Patients currently being tested are:
- Patients whose UC Health providers recommend and place an order for testing based on the patient’s symptoms or other clinical indications.
- Patients with scheduled surgeries and procedures (including radiology procedures).
- Expectant mothers with scheduled C-sections and inductions.
- People who are donating a kidney to a UC Health patient.
- Patients with certain high-risk or complex conditions.
- Some patients with cancer.
Children (under the age of 14) can receive COVID-19 testing at Cincinnati Children’s through a provider’s order and by appointment only. Please contact Cincinnati Children’s for information.
At this time, we are only testing the following symptomatic community members:
- Cincinnati Health Department healthcare workers.
- First responders.
Please call 513-41VIRUS (513-418-4787) to schedule your appointment.
Employees who have a known exposure to someone with COVID-19, or who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, should contact their employee health representatives for instructions.
- UC Health employees: Email covid-redcap@uchealth.com to complete the necessary documentation. Call 513-585-8000 with questions.
- UC and UCP employees: Email covidwatch@uc.edu.
Drive-Thru Clinic Location Maps
University of Cincinnati Medical Center
From Burnet Avenue, turn into the driveway at 3200 Burnet Avenue on the east side of the street. Then, immediately take a right onto the drive in front of the West Medical Office Building where you will find the tent for drive-thru testing. Once testing is complete, follow the one-way drive allowing you to exit at Harvey Avenue.
West Chester Hospital
From Cox Road, enter Discovery Drive. Continue straight until you are in front of UC Health Physicians Office–North, and take a right. Continue around the square drive until you reach the exit at Discovery Drive to your left.
Sample Testing for COVID-19
Let UC Health process and test your samples.
UC Health has been designated by the Ohio Department of Health as a regional COVID-19 testing center and will assist congregate living facilities, hospitals, and other groups that may be susceptible to rapid spread, with their COVID-19 test sample processing and testing needs. If your facility is interested in partnering with UC Health to process and test your samples, please complete the survey.
Please note, this service is NOT for individual patients. It’s ONLY for facilities who’d like to work with UC Health to process COVID-19 test samples.
COVID-19 Testing News
UC Health Begins In-House Testing for COVID-19
UC Health has begun in-house testing for COVID-19, the novel coronavirus responsible for our current pandemic. The testing will be conducted at the UC Health Precision Medicine Laboratory located at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.
