Putnam To Dole Out Rapid Test Kits For Residents: Odell

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Putnam County will distribute thousands of rapid COVID-19 tests to CAP, food pantries, shelters, libraries, senior citizen centers, and houses of worship over the coming days in an effort to stem the spread of the omicron variant and keep schools and businesses open.

The county currently has a rolling average of 397 cases per 100,000 residents and a 22.4 percent positivity rate.

“Putnam County entered into a public/private partnership with Ambulnz to set up testing centers in Carmel and Philipstown where our residents can get the services they need,” County Executive MaryEllen Odell said in the announcements. “Not all of our residents can easily reach those testing sites, however, so we are distributing these home tests to help them get fast, accurate test results in order to protect themselves, their loved ones and our communities.”

The county received 4,437 rapid antigen test kits from the state in its first shipment. More are expected.

The drive-in test sites are open from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays for school children and school district staff and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week for all other Putnam County residents. The Paladin Center and Philipstown Rec sites opened on December 27 and tested more than 4,500 people and found that 810, or 17 percent, were positive for Covid.

Results from the rapid antigen test kits the county is distributing may not be accepted by airlines, some work settings or by medical facilities requiring Covid clearance before medical procedures. People who need testing for those reasons should secure a PCR test from their doctor’s office or elsewhere.

As of Dec. 29, there were 2,001 people in isolation after positive tests and 20 people hospitalized with COVID-19, according to the Putnam County dashboard.

County officials reminded residents that the state Health Department has updated its guidelines for isolating and quarantining:

• For isolation and quarantine of the general population:
  • Isolate for 5 days, where day 0 is the day of symptom onset or (if asymptomatic) the day of collection of the first positive [test].
    • If asymptomatic at the end of 5 days or if symptoms are resolving, isolation ends and the individual should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
    • Individuals who are moderately-severely immunocompromised should continue to follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
    • Individuals who are unable to wear a well-fitting mask for 5 days after a 5-day isolation should also follow standard (i.e., not shortened) Isolation Guidance.
• If exposed to COVID-19, quarantine as follows, where day 0 is the last date of exposure:
  • If not fully vaccinated or fully vaccinated and eligible for a booster but not yet boosted, quarantine for 5 days and wear a well-fitting mask while around others for an additional 5 days.
  • If fully vaccinated and boosted (with the booster at least 2 weeks before the first date of exposure) or not yet eligible for a booster, no quarantine is required but these individuals should wear a well-fitting mask while around others for 10 days after the last date of exposure.
  • If possible, test at day 5 with either a PCR or antigen test.
  • If symptoms appear, quarantine and seek testing. In this situation, quarantine would end when the test is negative. If testing is not done, isolate according to the guidance above.

The Putnam County Department of Health offers clinics for vaccines and booster shots every Tuesday. An appointment is required. See the PCDOH website for more information: https://www.putnamcountyny.com/health/