Free at-home COVID tests: Volusia County to give away 4,000 a week

Mary Helen Moore, The Daytona Beach News-Journal
·3 min read
Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19
Rapid antigen tests for COVID-19

Volusia County on Tuesday announced a plan to give away thousands of at-home COVID-19 test kits every week at the fairgrounds in DeLand as it phases out the on-site testing and vaccinations that had been offered there since Jan. 10.

They will give out up to 500 test kits a day, with each test kit containing two rapid antigen tests. Individuals will be limited to two test kits.

Here's the schedule, beginning Thursday, Jan. 27:

  • When: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays

  • Time: 9 a.m.- 4 p.m.

  • Where: 3150 E. New York Ave., DeLand

The tests will be distributed on a "first come, first served" basis, the county stated in a news release, in which it also announced it was ceasing COVID vaccinations and would no longer have staff administering tests at the fairgrounds.

The latest local coronavirus news: Omicron COVID-19 hospitalizations at AdventHealth, Halifax Health starting to decline

Don't live near DeLand?: Places to call in your part of Volusia County to see if at-home COVID tests are in stock

Here's how to get at-home tests delivered: Free COVID test kits are available through a government website

The site reopened two weeks ago as cases surged following the holidays due to the rapid spread of the omicron variant, but county spokesman Gary Davidson told The News-Journal demand has been steadily declining.

"Initially, Family Health Source was getting around 500 registrations per-day and on some days, testing more than 500, including those who showed up for a test without registering. By comparison, they had just 28 registrations (Monday) and administered a total of 168 tests," Davidson said.

On Tuesday, just 60 people registered and 106 were tested.

"As the numbers continue to decline, it becomes more efficient to simply give away the at-home test kits," Davidson said.

He said altogether, 4,054 tests had been performed at the fairgrounds since Jan. 10. The county operated the site in conjunction with Family Health Source, the Volusia County Fair Association and the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County.

Covid-19 testing at the Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.
Covid-19 testing at the Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand, Monday, Jan. 10, 2022.

More: Feeling sick? Here's where to get a COVID test in Volusia, Flagler counties

Free COVID-19 testing locations in Volusia County

Three pop-up COVID-19 testing locations remain open in Volusia County to provide free testing:

  • Daytona Beach: Curative offers PCR tests on City Island,105 Jackie Robinson Parkway by appointment only. Book online at curative.com or call 888-702-9042. Monday through Friday. 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Deltona: Nomi Health offers PCR and rapid antigen tests at Dewey O. Boster Park, 1200 Saxon Blvd. Appointments recommended. Book online at testing.nomihealth.com/signup/fl. Monday though Friday. 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • New Smyrna Beach: Nomi Health offers PCR and rapid antigen tests at 1000 Live Oak St. Appointments recommended. Book online at testing.nomihealth.com/signup/fl. Monday though Friday. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

You may be asked for health insurance information, but testing is free and those without insurance won't be turned away.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Volusia County shifts COVID testing strategy to at-home test giveaways