As Covid-19 cases climb sharply, some 4,000 free rapid home test kits will be distributed on the Vineyard beginning Tuesday. Distribution will take place from 9:30 a.m. to noon in all six towns, according to a statement from Island Health Care late Monday afternoon.
As Covid-19 cases spike sharply upward again, some 4,000 free rapid home test kits will be distributed on the Vineyard beginning Tuesday. Distribution will take place from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in all six towns, according to a statement from Island Health Care late Monday afternoon.
Locations for pickup are posted on individual town websites, according to the statement, although available information on the websites was incomplete. Most towns are requiring proof of residency and allowing one kit per household. As of Monday evening:
• Edgartown will distribute test kits on Atlantic avenue near the Norton Point beach entrance. Pre-registration is required in advance through the town website.
• Oak Bluffs will distribute the kits at its temporary town hall trailers.
• Tisbury will distribute at the board of health office, located near the town park and ride.
• Chilmark will distribute the kits at the town hall.
• West Tisbury will distribute at the town hall, public safety building, the town library and the council on aging.
• Aquinnah test kits are being given to the Wampanoag tribe.
• Chilmark will send 15 test kits to Gosnold.
The test kits are part of a federal government distribution, coordinated by IHC and the boards of health.
Each town will receive an allotment based on population. Island Health Care and the Martha’s Vineyard Hospital will also receive an allotment of the rapid test kits, according to an earlier press release, but no information has been provided about how those test kits would be distributed.
Meanwhile, case counts are climbing rapidly, with 131 confirmed positive cases in the week leading up to Dec. 31, a record number. Over the holiday weekend, another 90 confirmed positive cases were reported, bringing the 10-day total to 221.
The six boards health released their weekly Covid report Monday.
According to the report, 82 of last week’s cases were fully vaccinated people, one was a partially vaccinated person and 21 cases were among unvaccinated people. The vaccination status of the other 27 cases is unknown.
One person is hospitalized with the virus, Martha’s Vineyard Hospital spokesman Marissa Lefebvre said in an email Monday afternoon. The patient is in fair condition, Ms. Lefebvre said.
Vineyard health agents are asking that anyone who tests positive from at-home tests register the result at rapidtestmv.org.
Positive results from at-home tests can be submitted to rapidtestmv.org.
Comments
Looking for more info
Liz EdgartownLooking for more info-wondering if it’s one test per household. We have 5 in our household including my elderly mother. Thanks
In VH it is one test per
Robert VHIn VH it is one test per household member. (e.g. 2 household members gets you one test kit which has two tests)
Wow, 4000 kits! How is it
Really EdgWow, 4000 kits! How is it that the Town of Edgartown (per their website) only gets 300? Did each town get an even number (probably should be by year round population)? Do we really have only a tenth of the population? Where are all the rest?
As pointed out elsewhere,
Zack EdgartownAs pointed out elsewhere, they should have picked a time that allows working class families to get test kits. Doing it during working hours gatekeeps them and ensures the people who need them most won't have access.
Edgartown in particular is doing a disgusting job in this regard.
Putting the location in the place that is furthest away from workers and working-class homes. A place that has no access to public transportaion and no shelter from the cold. Requiring internet access and knowledge of English to register.
Your article said that in
julie robinson West TisburyYour article said that in West Tisbury there would be test kits for every resident of the town. You listed the Fire Station, the town hall, the council on aging and the West Tisbury Library.
Every place had a sign on its door...out of test kits...i was looking with several people. I hope that we will get more for the island residents.
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