Monroe County rolls out 750,000 COVID test kits

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — Monroe County Executive Adam Bello and Public Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza Wednesday announced the rollout of more than 750,000 rapid COVID tests.

The move was announced last week after the county declared a state of emergency over rising COVID-19 numbers. The kits were paid for with $7.25 million in CARES Act funds.

The kits are being distributed directly to schools and towns that are holding their own test kits pickup events. School districts will be putting together their own plans for distribution.

Bello says each kit comes with two tests and will include directions. Only those who test positive are being asked to report results to the county website or by calling 585-753-5555.

750,000 #COVID19 rapid testing kits wrapped up and ready to be shipped to towns across Monroe County for distribution. Most towns handing them out on Saturday for free to adults. @news10nbc pic.twitter.com/3Wr2QCvWwo

— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) December 8, 2021

A truck from the City of Rochester was the first to be loaded up and move out of the warehouse as part of Wednesday’s news conference.

As we’ve been here, we’ve seen three different towns show up to pickup their supply of these testing kits. They are iHealth brand, two per box. @news10nbc pic.twitter.com/xS77dZdHAM

— Jennifer Lewke (@WHEC_JLewke) December 8, 2021

As we’ve been reporting, these rapid antigen tests are not as accurate as a PCR test, often with a high percentage of false negatives. But County Health Commissioner Dr. Michael Mendoza points out the "…beauty of the rapid test, it will tell if you’re contagious," and will help prevent the spread of infection.

Bello believes Monroe County’s effort is the first of its kind on this scale, nationwide.

Watch the full press conference in the video in the player below (mobile users, click here):