Vermont Allocates 96,000 Take-Home COVID-19 Tests
Ray Smith
/ Categories: 2021, 2021

Vermont Allocates 96,000 Take-Home COVID-19 Tests

BURLINGTON, VT – In advance of the holidays, the state of Vermont will distribute 96,000 free rapid antigen take-home test kits. These kits will be distributed through sites around Vermont and in coordination with community partners. Individuals who receive a take-home kit are asked to report their results to healthvermont.gov/testing

The at-home antigen tests will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis on December 23, 24, 28, 29, and 30 at distribution sites across the state. Each kit handed out contains two tests. These tests are being offered to walk-ins only and will not appear in the testing registration system on the Department of Health website. All sites will be closed on Christmas and New Year’s Day.

The expansion of rapid antigen tests is in addition to Vermont’s nation-leading PCR testing program. Over the past 30 days, Vermont has tested at more than twice the rate of the third highest state in the nation. In addition to the thousands of PCR tests administered each day and the take-home test kits, the state is also making available 10,000 rapid LAMP tests.

The location to pick-up an antigen rapid take-home test kit in Bennington County is the Agency of Transportation on 359 Bowen Road between the hours of 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. on December 23, 24, 28, and 29.

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Keep Up the Good Work: Staying Safe as Restrictions Loosen

Like many in Vermont, the leaders and staff at Southwestern Vermont Health Care couldn’t be happier that the number of cases of COVID-19 fell below even our best expectations. The better-than-expected situation we have experienced in Vermont is thanks to all who followed recommendations as closely as possible. However, many with “isolation fatigue” may be ready to relax their own behavior, especially at hearing about the loosening of restrictions. In reality, the precautions we have been taking are as important right now as they were at the beginning of the pandemic. We’d like to take a moment to reiterate what precautions are still in place and remind everyone how important it is to continue being as careful as ever.

Keep Your Hands Clean. As restrictions have increased, calls for frequent handwashing and respiratory etiquette (covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, if possible, and throwing the tissue away) seem to have let up. While these actions alone will not prevent someone from contracting COVID-19, they are still the best actions to prevent acquiring an infection. If you have relaxed your handwashing habit, now’s the time to beef it back up again!

“Stay Home, Stay Safe.” The order to limit trips from home remains in effect through at least May 15. Some iteration of this guideline is likely to persist for some time beyond that. This means we should be leaving our home only for the following reasons: for personal safety, to get food or medicine, to seek medical care, to exercise, to care for others, or to go to work.

Cover Your Face. While outside the home, wear a cloth mask or face covering. People who do not have symptoms can spread COVID-19, so face coverings keep you from spreading the illness if you are ill without knowing it. Masks also keep you from touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and potentially infecting yourself or others.

Keep Your Distance. Even while wearing face coverings, we should all continue to keep at least 6 feet from others. The distance is about the same as the length of a long couch. If you could touch the person when both your arms are outstretched, you are still about 2 feet too close.

Stay Home Some More. You may have COVID-19 if you have a cough, shortness of breath, or difficulty breathing or at least two of the following: fever, chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and a sudden loss of taste or smell.  Call your provider. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control has launched a self-checker tool to help guide you through making decisions based on your symptoms. If you have any questions, call the SVHC COVID-19 Informational Hotline at 802-440-8844.

Seek Immediate Medical Attention. If you have difficulty breathing, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face, call 9-1-1 or your local Emergency Department and go to the hospital. SVMC’s number is 802-447-6361.

While the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 in our area is relatively low right now, we all need to remain vigilant in order to keep it that way. How well we adhere to the restrictions that remain is likely to make a big difference in how many of our friends and neighbors are sickened. In short, keep up the good work!

Marie George, MD, is SVMC’s infectious disease specialist.

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