COVID: Where Dutchess residents can get at-home test kits free this week
The mad dash to find COVID-19 testing has slowed in most areas.
Fewer lab tests are being administered than a month ago, and the number of known positive cases has also seen a sharp decline.
Still, the potentially deadly virus and its highly contagious omicron variant hasn’t gone away. And residents in need of at-home tests can find them free this week through their municipalities.
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One week after Dutchess County handed out a supply of test kits at county-run sites directly to residents, the county this week sent supplies to individual towns, cities and villages for distribution.
The number of tests completed as part of the official state Department of Health count dropped to 15,643 last week, after it was 24,302 for the week ending Jan. 15. The decline represents not only a slowing of the virus’ spread, but also an increase in distribution of at-home kits, many of which of which are not being reported to health departments after they are taken.
The free at-home kits, supplied originally from the state, are limited, and most are being distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with proof of residency required. Each kit includes two at-home tests, and are limited to one per household.
Many municipalities had yet to announce when their distribution times as of Monday night, and at least two, Pleasant Valley and Union Vale, held distributions Monday. Details include:
City of Beacon: Tuesday from 5 to 7:30 p.m. at Howland Public Library at 313 Main St. and the Beacon Recreation Department at 23 W. Center St.
Beekman: Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall.
East Fishkill: Tuesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Fishkill: Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. at Town Hall. Residents can also reserve a kit by emailing socialmedia@fishkill-ny.gov with a name and contact info for pickup Wednesday at Town Hall from 7 to 8 p.m.
LaGrange: Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. and 2 to 3 p.m., and Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. and 3 to 4 p.m., at Town Hall's upper level in the back of the building.
Milan: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Town Hall, while supplies last.
Pleasant Valley: Today from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Town Clerk’s Office in Town Hall.
City of Poughkeepsie: Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the City Police Station, 62 Civic Center Plaza. The city will use some of its supply to distribute directly to housing complexes.
Union Vale: Today from noon until supplies run out at Town Hall. Residents can also call Town Hall to reserve a kit for pickup or be added to a home delivery list.
Wappinger: Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Town Hall.
Village of Wappingers Falls: Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Village Hall.
Washington: Tests are available in the Town Clerk's Office in Town Hall from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
This article will be updated as more municipalities announce distributions.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Dutchess to distribute at-home COVID test kits
