Free at-home rapid testing kits becoming available throughout Monroe County

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Community members are calling it the perfect holiday gift.

750,000 free rapid test kits started to go out all across Monroe County Saturday, and handouts will continue through this weekend and into next week. Some community members told us they’re finding these kits “comforting” to have before the holidays.

People were picking them up one by one. The sites News10NBC went to had a high demand, but distribution was quick and painless.

"I think it really does give peace of mind to know right away and understand if you have it, you need to quarantine immediately, "said Casey Fitch, who was at the Thomas P. Ryan Center in Rochester picking up kits for his family. ‘You can help reduce the spread of the virus that way."

2,500 kits went from inside Thomas P. Ryan Center into the hands of anyone who stopped by Saturday morning. Cars pulled up, showed an ID, took a kit, and moved on. People pulling up said they think these kits are a great gift for the holidays.

"We all just finished Thanksgiving, and some people were able to get tested via a testing site…others probably masked and distanced. Having the test kit available and being able to test to make sure everyone is safe together inside is huge,” said Kendra Hayle-Laboy, who was helping hand kits out in Rochester.

Community leaders handing out kits at the Irondequoit Department of Public Works say they had well over 1,000 people pull up in their "Test kit drive-thru" and they were given about 12,000 kids.

"This is a huge supply and amount of tests going out. In each kit, it’s two tests per kit and each car is getting one kit, so there are a lot of tests going out into the community,” said Bob Kiley, commissioner of public works for the Town of Irondequoit.

Kits were only handed out for a couple of hours Saturday morning. If you didn’t get one, organizers News10NBC spoke to today said there would be more opportunities Sunday and throughout the week.

For a list of times and locations, check here, or visit your local municipality’s website for information. Please note, home test kits are not available at Monroe County testing sites.