POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie received 1,100 COVID home test kits from Dutchess County and the supply was depleted in just over two hours on Thursday morning. The distribution began at 8:15 a.m. on January 6 and the kits were gone before 11:00 a.m. The city was prepared to keep the site open until 5:00 p.m.
The City of Poughkeepsie Police and Fire Departments provided personnel for the distribution that took place behind City Hall between Mill and Mansion Street. The first responders accommodated city residents through both drive-thru and walk-up service. One resident that received a kit told Mid-Hudson News “This was really efficient. I have heard people in other towns saying they waited in line for over an hour. I waited in line here for about 15 minutes. The cops and firefighters made it very easy.”
Fifth Ward Common Council member Yvonne Flowers picked up her test kit on Thursday and said “The process was fast and easy. I only had to wait in line for 10 minutes.”
Mayor Rob Rolison visited the distribution site early in the day and was impressed. “Once again, the city staff flawlessly handled a critically important operation.” Addressing complaints from residents that were unable to get a kit on Thursday, Rolison said “As we get additional tests, we expect to set up more distribution points, and we will do our level best to get the tests into the hands of those who need them.” The city plans to work with organizations that serve residents when additional kits become available for distribution.
