DUTCHESS COUNTY – At-home COVID test kits being distributed by municipalities have had varied success depending on the location, planning, personnel, and a number of other factors. The past two kit distribution events throughout Dutchess have been put together in a matter of hours as a result of shipping schedules from the state government.
The distribution schedule is affected by a variety of factors that begin in Albany.
- NYS notifies the counties that a supply of kits and masks is expected to be shipped to the county.
- The state determines who the masks and kits are intended for such as the general public, school districts, or other organizations.
- The county is provided an estimated quantity of items being shipped.
- The state provides an estimated delivery date range.
Once the county is given the information, they share it with their distribution partners such as municipalities and school districts. The partners are given a date and time to pick up their allocation at Dutchess County Emergency Response.
Dutchess County officials have told Mid-Hudson News that the plans are fluid and can change based on when the shipment actually arrives. The final schedule for picking up the allocation is set once the county receives confirmation that the kits are in transit.
Once the distribution partner, primarily the cities, towns, and villages in the county receives their pre-determined number of tests, masks, and informational flyers, they determine the distribution method that works best for their municipality. In the case of the school district allocation, the state provides direction on the specific number that is to be distributed to each district.
For the general public distribution, Dutchess County has allocated test kits using a percentage of the total county population formula. For example, if Town A’s resident population is 5 percent of Dutchess County’s total population, Town A receives 5 percent of the kits being distributed to municipalities. County officials noted that it is not an exact number because the kits are shipped in blocks of 10.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said, “We are grateful to our staff at Emergency Response and all of our partners for their cooperation and dedication in getting these kits to the intended populations. Test kits are getting into the hands of families/residents often within hours of the original shipments.” He also noted that the county is also purchasing test kits for greater public access, in addition to what the state is providing. As the kits are obtained, the county will announce how and where they will be distributed.
