Montgomery County will provide free, rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits to residents at all 19 public libraries. County officials discussed the plan during a media briefing on Wednesday, Jan. 5. The test kits will be available beginning Monday, Jan. 10.
The kits being distributed were purchased directly by the County and will be available for as long as supplies last and the Omicron surge continues. So far, the County has ordered nearly two million kits and 500,000 kits have been received so far.
The tests are recommended for use by asymptomatic residents. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should not go to a library distribution site, but rather contact their health provider or make an appointment for a PCR test at one of the many locations providing testing throughout the county.
“Securing these tests, that are currently in great demand, will help our County mitigate community transmission from the Omicron variant surge,” said County Executive Marc Elrich. “We appreciate the District of Columbia assisting us and thank our procurement team for their diligence to track down and acquire these tests. We are going to make sure these tests will be given out equitably and fairly throughout the community.”
The iHealth COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Test kits will be available on a first come, first served basis until supplies run out. Residents can receive a maximum of two test kits per person (each containing two tests) per visit to the library.
Library branches distributing kits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Saturday are:
Library branches distributing kits from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday – Thursday and 2 to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday are:
- Connie Morella (Bethesda)
- Germantown
- Kensington Park
- Long Branch
- Marilyn Praisner (Burtonsville)
- Olney
- Quince Orchard
- Rockville
- Twinbrook
- Wheaton
The iHealth Rapid Antigen test is a test that may be done at-home. It detects the protein antigen from the virus which causes COVID-19. Test results are available in 15 minutes. Rapid test specimens are collected using a nasal swab. Detailed instructions on how to perform the self-test are included with each test kit.
This short video explains how to perform the self-test:
Last month, the state health department offered rapid at-home test kits to groups with an increased risk of exposure or decreased access to testing.
More information is available on the County’s COVID-19 testing page at www.MoCoCOVIDtesting.org.
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County Developing Plan to Distribute Rapid COVID-19 Tests Through Libraries
