KINGSTON, N.Y. – County Executive Pat Ryan delivered over 500 rapid at-home COVID-19 test kits today at the Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center in Midtown Kingston to city residents. The rapid at-home tests are being provided at no cost, helping to ensure fair and equitable access to vital testing resources. Additionally, County Executive Pat Ryan provided information on what residents should do in the event they test positive with an at-home kit and provided additional information on pickup locations throughout Ulster County.
“Twenty months into the pandemic, we know how essential it is to have access to rapid testing in order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and keep our schools and businesses open,” Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said. “Ulster County has partnered with our schools, municipalities, and community groups, to ensure quick and easy access to tests that will ultimately lead to keeping our community safer.”
Additional at-home rapid test kits will be available beginning the week of December 20th at local town halls, schools, and through nonprofit partners. Residents can contact their local municipal offices starting next week to learn more about days and times for pick up. Parents and students will have additional information on kit distribution next week from their school districts as well. Ulster County is also partnering with the following nonprofit partners who will distribute test kits to their clients: People’s Place, the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center, For the Many, YMCA of Kingston and Ulster County, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Kingston and Saugerties, Beyond the 4 Walls Outreach Program, Samadhi, and Family of Woodstock.
Ulster County will continue to hold regular vaccination PODs for residents who need to receive their 1st dose, 2nd dose, or booster dose. Appointments are recommended for the County’s vaccination PODs; although walk-ins will be accommodated as capacity allows. Sign up for an appointment at VaccinateUlster.com.
Last week, County Executive Ryan announced that 33,000 COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits had been secured for county schools, towns and nonprofits to distribute directly to families and residents in an effort to allow local schools and businesses to remain open safely while increasing testing capacity and access throughout the county. The test kits are being distributed this week to cities, towns and villages throughout Ulster County, and residents interested in receiving a free test kit should contact their local municipal offices beginning Monday, December 20th, for information on how free tests will be distributed locally and the hours of availability. School districts will reach out to families with information on pick-up within local schools.
What to do if you test positive with an at-home rapid COVID test:
Recipients of the free COVID-19 at-home rapid tests should follow the manufacturer’s instructions for administering the test. Anyone who tests positive should immediately isolate themselves from others, regardless of vaccination status. Isolation includes retiring to a separate room in the house and avoiding contact with others in the household. If symptomatic, consult with a doctor about treatment and how to isolate people who need caregiving.
Report positive at-home test results to the Department of Health online at https://covid19.ulstercountyny.gov/hometest/ or by calling the Ulster County Recovery Service Center (RSC) at 845-443-8888. (Negative test results do not need to be reported to the Department of Health.) Necessary information to report a positive test result includes:
- Name of person tested
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Phone number
- Physical address
- Date of test
- A photo image of the positive test result is REQUIRED by New York State Department of Health and should be taken within 24 hours of test administration.
Once a positive test result is reported to the Department of Health, you will be contacted by a public health nurse for case investigation and documentation which you can provide to your school or employer; please be sure to answer phone calls from any unfamiliar numbers while waiting to hear from the health department.
For questions, please call the Ulster County Recovery Service Center (RSC) at 845-443-8888.