Vineyard To Receive 8100 Free Rapid COVID Tests for Distribution
Dec. 30, 2020 Immediate Release
For More Information:
Cynthia Mitchell 508-265-1894; cmitchell@ihimv.org
Matt Poole 508-627-6120; mpoole@edgartown-ma.us
Vineyard To Receive 8100 Free Rapid COVID Tests for Distribution
As part of the federal government’s program to distribute free rapid COVID tests, Island Health Care, the towns’ public health boards and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will collectively receive 4050 test kits in the next few weeks. Each test kit contains two rapid COVID tests. HRSA, the Health Resources and Services Administration, which is managing the national rollout, expects to be able to continue supplying free tests to local communities into the Spring.
Instructions for properly using the tests are included in the packaging. Videos, both in English and Portuguese demonstrating proper use will be available on rapidtestmv.org. Health agents ask that anyone receiving a positive test go to the website to register a positive result and review the state’s recommended guidelines for isolation.
Test kits will be available through individual town distribution sites, with IHC serving its patients with 400 tests and the hospital receiving 1350 tests. In this first rollout, Aquinnah will receive 49 tests; Chilmark 136; Edgartown 579; Oak Bluffs 598; Vineyard Haven 539 and West Tisbury 398. The calculations were based on population.
A second order, already placed with HRSA, requests eight pallets of test kits or 10,800 kits to be distributed in the same formula Island wide. Future orders placed by IHC will be based on demand.
The clamor for testing is apparent at TestMV, the PCR test site operating on the grounds of the Agricultural Hall in West Tisbury. IHC’s Executive Director Cynthia Mitchell noted that in recent weeks as the numbers of positive tests have climbed, particularly during a period where Islanders have either been traveling or entertaining mainland guests, the demand for tests has increased to roughly 300 a week. Prior to the spike in positive cases -- believed to be driven by Omicron as well as Delta variants -- TestMV was recording half that number on a weekly basis.
“We need all the tools we can get to keep our infection rate as low as possible,” said Mitchell. “Home tests have become nearly impossible to find and we must make sure that cost is not preventing families from taking sound public health measures to stay safe.”
“While the availability of free, rapid home tests is welcome news, it should not be viewed as a panacea,” said Matt Poole, Edgartown’s public health agent. “Everyone should still wear masks indoors when encountering people outside their immediate family, maintain a healthy distance of six feet or more outdoors, and get vaccinated and boosted. There are no shortcuts in this pandemic.”
Specific town distribution sites are currently being determined,
so please check local town websites next week.