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More free Covid test kits available in Orleans at libraries, town halls, village offices

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 17 February 2022 at 4:08 pm

‘Orleans County is still considered high for level of community transmission’ – Paul Pettit, public health director

Press Release, Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments

New York State has provided Orleans County Emergency Management Office with free at-home Covid test kits to distribute to residents.

Starting Friday, February 18th, each town hall, village hall, library, and the Orleans County Office Building will have a supply of Covid test kits to distribute to residents during normal business hours until the kits are gone.

“Per the CDC data tracker, Orleans County is still considered high for level of community transmission,” said Paul Pettit, Public Health Director for Orleans County Health Department.  “We continue to encourage anyone who has had close contact with someone who tested positive with Covid-19 to get tested 5 days after last contact. If you are experiencing any symptoms self-isolate and test for Covid-19.”

The GCC Albion Campus Center at 456 West Ave. in Albion will be open through at least Feb. 23, Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. for PCR and rapid testing. Walk-ins allowed or for an appointment, click here.

If you need a lab-confirmed test, visit the NYS Covid-19 testing sites for lab testing locations. Home tests can be reported on the GOHealthNY.org website by clicking the red Covid-19 Testing button and clicking your county.

It is expected the state will continue to send out Covid-19 home test kits as they receive them. Moving forward, please check with your Town/Village hall and local library system to determine access to home test kits.

A maximum of 2 kits per person will be distributed at the following locations:

  • Orleans County Office Building: Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Village of Lyndonville: Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed daily from 12:30 p.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Village of Medina: Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Village of Albion: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Village of Holley: Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Yates Community Library in Lyndonville: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Lee-Whedon Memorial Library in Medina: Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Hoag Library in Albion: Monday-Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Community Free Library in Holley: Monday, Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. & 4 to 8 p.m. ; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Residents should use at-home Covid-19 tests after a possible exposure to someone with Covid, after returning from travel, before and after attending large mixed gatherings, or when they exhibit symptoms of Covid-19,” Pettit said. “Testing is one mitigation strategy that can help reduce the community spread of COVID-19.”

To report a positive at-home test: Individuals can visit the GO Health website Covid-19 testing page and choose the appropriate Home Test button for their respective county.

Individuals should complete the at-home tests according to the directions provided. When the test is completed, individuals should take a picture with the individual’s name, the date and the time they took the test legibly written in permanent marker within 15 minutes of reading the test. Towards the end of the online form, the individual will be required to upload the picture on the website and attest to the authenticity and truth of the form.  If there are any missing sections that are required, the form is invalid.  At this time, individuals do not need to report negative at-home test results.

Anyone who tests positive for Covid-19 is to self-isolate immediately. You may not be contacted regarding your contacts, so it is important to notify your close contacts (those who you spent 15 minutes or more in a 24-hour period 2 days prior to symptoms or 2 days prior to a positive test result).

It is important to continue with self-isolation from household members as much as you are able. Isolate for 5 days and if you are fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication, your symptoms are getting better, and you can tolerate a tight-fitting mask you can return to work/school but you are still required to wear a tight-fitting mask for 5 more days.

If you must share space, make sure all in contact with you are wearing tight-fitting masks covering their nose and mouth and frequently shared items/surfaces are sanitized often. To access isolation orders and isolation release paperwork visit our website at GOHealthNY.org (COVID-19 Isolation & Quarantine Documents & Information) and complete and print out or print and hand write the forms from the county you reside in and provide to your employer or school.