Health Dept. to reserve rapid COVID-19 tests for those 18 and under, symptomatic residents ages 50+

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Starting Tuesday, the Allen County Department of Health has announced that it will be required to limit the use of rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 at its public test site.

The department says it is complying with Indiana Department of Health guidance, and will now need to reserve rapid tests for anyone 18 and younger and symptomatic individuals ages 50 and older. They say polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are available to anyone, regardless of age or symptoms. PCR test results are typically available in 2-3 days, officials say.

“While it’s disappointing to be asked to scale back such an important service to our community, we are seeing our supplies dwindle without replacement, and this will allow the Department of Health to conserve some resources to provide rapid tests to those who need it,” Allen County Department of Health Administrator Mindy Waldron said.

The department says it has operated several free testing sites since October of 2020, and the public testing site, located at 5750 Falls Drive, was opened in September to continue free testing services. They say over 77,000 Allen County residents have tested positive for COVID-19 so far – about 41,000 through PCR testing and 36,000 via rapid testing.

The Falls Drive clinic is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Appointments can be made online here.

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