WASHINGTON — In addition to the 36 sites in D.C. where you can already pick up and drop off at-home PCR tests (find that list here), eight D.C. libraries received deliveries of rapid at-home testing kits Wednesday morning. Rapid tests have been flying off shelves at pharmacies in the area, becoming the hottest item this holiday season to snag before travel.
"DC Health has also ordered 1,050,000 rapid antigen tests — 150,000 BinaxNOW and 900,000 iHealth Antigen tests," Mayor Bowser's office said in a press release. "Of those tests, 42,000 are currently on-hand and 200,000 Antigen tests are in transit to Washington, D.C."
DC Health will supply the eight library branches with 1,000 rapid test kits each, per day. Residents will be able to obtain two kits, or four tests, per day, at those locations. Proof of residency is also required to get the kits. After using a rapid at-home test, residents should report their results to DC Health at coronavirus.dc.gov/overthecounter.
You can check the availability of test kits here.
Here are the eight locations where you can get a kit (we strongly encourage checking availability before you go):
WARD 1
WARD 2
WARD 3
WARD 4
WARD 5
WARD 6
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WARD 8
Other library systems across the DMV have been distributing at-home tests as well, but many report not being able to keep up with the demand. Within an hour of restocking 1,500 tests, Arlington Public Library ran out of its supply Tuesday. Both the Prince George's and Fairfax County public library systems alerted the public that they also ran out of their supply of rapid tests as well.
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System notes it is resupplied on a biweekly basis by the Maryland Department of Health and Prince George’s County Health Department (subject to change).
The next resupply will not be available for customers to pick up until Jan. 5 at the earliest (pending final confirmation). The library system says an announcement will be issued via pgcmls.info and @PGCMLS on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram when additional test kits become available. Customers should call 240-455-5451 or email askalibrarian@pgcmls.info with questions.
All three library systems said they do not expect to receive another shipment from their Departments of Health until the new year.
Some DMV residents have reported getting lucky and finding tests still on shelves at local pharmacies. Here's what you can expect to pay for a rapid at-home test in the area:
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