AKWESASNE -- Following interest in COVID-19 Home Test Kits, the Saint Regis Mohawk Health Services will be conducting additional distributions of the test kits during the month of December. Community members will receive either the BinaxNow COVID-19 Antigen Self Kit or the QuickVue At-Home OTC COVID-19 Test. They are being provided at no cost on Tuesdays from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the clinic’s testing garage located at 404 State Route 37. Please use the gravel road located across from McGee Road to access the garage.
For those community members that already received a COVID-19 Home Test Kit at last week’s giveway on November 30th or the food distribution held on November 23rd, Health Services is urging individuals to please read and follow the instructions provided; which includes:
- Only use the test if you are symptomatic* for accurate results;
- Store between temperature of 35.6 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not leave in vehicle;
- Wear safety mask or other face covering when collecting swabs from children or others;
- Use of personal protection materials; such as gloves is recommended;
- Do not open the materials until ready for use, as test strips left open for an hour or longer may result in invalid test results;
- If positive, isolate and notify SRMHS Contact Tracers at (518) 333-0230; and/or
- If negative and still symptomatic, wear a mask and administer second test 24 to 36 hours after;
*COVID-19 symptoms include, but are not limited to; sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, cough, loss of taste or smell, fever, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing. PLEASE REMEMBER TO STAY AT HOME AND ISOLATE IF YOU ARE SYMPTOMATIC.
Both home test kits contain two nasal swabs that are not sharp and it should not hurt. Sometimes the swab can feel slightly uncomfortable. If you feel pain, please stop the test and seek advice from a healthcare provider.
Health Services is encouraging community members to please pickup a COVID-19 Home Test Kit, as the results may help limit the spread of the virus to your family and others in the community. #####