Town board and CDA offer free at-home Covid-19 tests and onsite testing to TOH residents
The Huntington Community Development Agency (CDA) will be distributing over 10,000 over-the-counter Covid-19 test kits to Town of Huntington (TOH) residents beginning this Monday, February 7 at Manor Field Park in Huntington Station.
The initiative is funded by the 2020 CARES Act Community Development Block Grant Coronavirus (CDBG-CV) program and sponsored by Huntington Town Supervisor Ed Smyth, the Huntington Town Board and the CDA. “These at-home test kits will provide Huntington families peace of mind that it is safe to gather and visit with at-risk family members,” said Supervisor Smyth.
At the February 1 Community Development Agency meeting, the CDA board authorized the distribution of 10,080 Covid-19 home rapid tests to TOH residents. The tests were purchased with $151,200 in CDBG-CV funds awarded last year in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Due to the recent spike in coronavirus cases, and with the demand of test kits outpacing the supply, the Town of Huntington and the Community Development Agency felt it was imperative that we address the issue,” said Leah M. Jefferson, Director of the Community Development Agency.
At the same meeting, the CDA board also approved the execution of a contract with Value Drugs for the purpose of administering approximately 2,000 rapid Covid-19 tests to TOH residents onsite at the Value Drugs at 106 Broadway in Greenlawn.
“The Town has faced enough difficulties during the pandemic, and we are grateful for the generosity of Value Drugs which has allowed us to meet the demand for rapid testing, and ultimately keep our community safer,” Jefferson noted.
Pre-registration for at-home test retrieval is required. Recipients must be Town of Huntington residents and each household is eligible to receive up to four OTC Rapid Result Covid-19 test kits. Apply online at huntingtonny.gov/covid-test-kits.
Distribution will start on February 7, 2022 at Manor Field Park (on East 5th Street in Huntington Station) until test kits are depleted. Hours of operation will be Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9am to 2pm, Wednesdays from 3pm to 7pm, and Fridays from 1pm to 4pm, while supplies last. The distribution site will not be open on federal holidays.
Onsite testing at the Greenlawn Value Drugs is available now to pre-registered residents. Apply at huntingtonny.gov/valuedrugscovid19testing to receive a voucher for a free test. Once approved, residents can schedule their appointment with Value Drugs. Tests will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
