Smithtown Doles Out 2,000 Coronavirus Test Kits To Seniors

SMITHTOWN, NY — The Town of Smithtown distributed more than 2,000 at-home coronavirus test kits to the most vulnerable population within the township, according to a news release.

Town staff on Feb. 9 picked up 2,552 test kits from Suffolk County at the Department of Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services. The next day, Smithtown officials delivered approximately 2,000 tests to seniors and at-risk people within the community, as well as at the Senior Center. On Monday morning, the Department of Public Safety orchestrated a distribution event, where residents could collect their at-home tests outside of the Maple Avenue building.

"I’m extremely grateful to our partners in government at Suffolk County for arranging the much-needed supply to be distributed to our residents, especially those who need it most," Supervisor Edward Wehrheim stated. "Our community members who are retired or living on a fixed income have certainly felt the cost of inflation, and this pandemic, in ways that have severely reduced quality of life. No one should have to sacrifice nutrition or grocery budgets to purchase PPE like face masks and Covid-19 tests. We owe it to our most vulnerable to provide the resources necessary to keep everyone healthy. While I hope the latest wave of the omicron variant was the last peak of COVID-19; these test kits will go a long way towards keeping people safe while cases are on the decline."

The at-home COVID-19 antigen test kit, made in the United States, includes two tests per box. The boxes were delivered to senior living communities throughout the township, at the Senior Center, and at Public Safety.

Wehrheim’s office worked alongside Legislators Leslie Kennedy and Robert Trotta to ensure locations were not replicated between the legislators' drop-off locations and distribution events in an effort to maximize the reach. When supplies ran out late on Monday morning at Public Safety, Trotta allotted additional kits for the remaining residents, according to the town.

Suffolk County is due to continue to work with the Town of Smithtown to provide additional COVID-19 related resources and personal protective equipment supplies for anyone in need. Residents who may be homebound or are unable to obtain at-home test kits may email the Supervisors office at SPIO@SmithtownNY.gov with requests.

For additional information on future at-home test kit distribution events within the township, residents can download the Town of Smithtown Mobile App, available for free on Google Play and the App Store.