Rhode Island Receives 500K More At-Home COVID-19 Tests

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island received 500,000 more COVID-19 test kits for at-home use, Gov. Dan McKee announced Thursday. The latest shipment brings the state's total to about 1 million in approximately a month.

"We're moving fast to get these tests out the door," McKee said Thursday, speaking from a test kit distribution site in East Providence.

As was the case with the last shipment, about 70 percent of the tests will be given directly to cities and towns for distribution. The remainder will go to community organizations and Health Equity Zones.

The share of tests allocated to each city or town will be determined by population size. Municipalities should receive their share throughout the next week, and will individually announce plans for redistribution to residents.

"Our whole of government COVID response team is focused on making it more convenient for Rhode Islanders to get tested when they need to," McKee said. "Our team remains committed to working closely with municipal leaders and community partners to ensure a strong pandemic response and recovery."