Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone has announced that the County will provide approximately 3,000 free at-home COVID-19 tests to residents on March, 21, 2022 from 10:00 AM – 1:30 PM in the lobby of the H. Lee Dennison Building, located at 100 Veterans Memorial Highway.
All Suffolk County residents are encouraged to attend and obtain the kits for their household. Test kits will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
“As we continue to navigate our new normal, with progress being made every day, it is still important to ensure that our residents, including our most vulnerable populations, have access to all of the tools necessary to fight this virus and keep themselves safe, said Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone. “Testing plays a vital role in keeping this virus under control and will be absolutely critical as we begin to live with this virus as part of our everyday lives.”
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott said: “When we test ourselves for COVID-19, we are able to make informed and responsible choices to seek any necessary care and protect others, especially those who are vulnerable.”
Together, with local municipalities, County legislators, the Suffolk County Police Department, community groups, not-for-profits and more, the County has distributed more than 300,000 test kits, mostly throughout the height of the Omicron surge, prioritizing seniors, first responders and other vulnerable populations. Throughout the next several months, the County will continue to work with numerous partners to distribute hundreds of thousands of additional tests, masks and hand sanitizer.
This announcement comes after the first two-week-long period of daily positivity rates below two percent, beginning on February 22, 2022, since July of last year.
In addition to County giveaways, every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 2 sets of 4 free at-home tests from the US Postal Service, at www.covidtests.gov. Most health plans also cover purchases of at-home over-the-counter COVID-19 diagnostic tests authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at no cost, either through reimbursement or free of charge through their insurance. Residents should contact their insurance provider, or visit www.cms.gov/how-to-get-your-at-home-OTC-COVID-19-test-for-free, for more information.
The County also continues to roll out vaccination efforts hosting clinics across the County throughout the month of March. Residents who are eligible to roll up their sleeves and get their shot, including boosters, are encouraged to do so as vaccination is the best tool to protect themselves and loved ones. County clinic dates and times are available at www.suffolkcountyny.gov/vaccine.
In an effort to vaccinate younger populations and those that may still be hesitant to get the vaccine, Suffolk County Department of Health Services’ Pharmacy-to-Practice program provides pediatricians, small pharmacies, and other medical providers with COVID-19 vaccines in amounts that are appropriate for their practice. Providers may visit www.suffolkcountyny.gov/pharmacy for more information, including an online COVID-19 vaccine order portal. To date, the pharmacy has provided 20,000 doses of vaccines to 40 healthcare providers across the county.
