Thousands of free test kits distributed to Johnston residents

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Johnston’s COVID-19 take home test supply has finally matched the town’s recently soaring demand.

Town officials gathered Saturday morning in the Johnston High School parking lot to distribute thousands of test kits.

“It was very well organized,” Johnston Mayor Joseph M. Polisena said Monday. “We gave out around 7,000 tests. We had three lanes, with three different points of distribution. Today we dropped more tests off at churches.”

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee met Polisena in the parking lot Saturday morning to help hand out tests.

Although the mercury only crept up to about 16 degrees, and the wind chill made it feel at least 10 degrees colder, McKee stuck around for the entire two-hour test handout.

“Saturday’s distribution of COVID-19 at home rapid test kits went very well, especially from a logistical point of view,” said Johnston Police Chief Joseph P. Razza. “Johnston’s Point of Distribution (POD) plan worked flawlessly, despite the frigid temperatures.”

Polisena estimated around 3,000 cars drove through the POD Saturday.

“Although the turnout and demand for the kits from Johnston residents was high, the wait time was extremely short due the efficiency in which the test kits were distributed,” Razza said. “I truly appreciated the support and assistance from our dedicated elected officials and volunteers who made this community distribution event a huge success.”

A long line stretched into the parking lot from Cherry Hill Road and Atwood Avenue, but those queued up for tests reported a mere 10-15 minute wait-time.

School Committee and Town Council members helped distribute small orange and white boxes to Johnston residents who turned out for the take-home test kits — each kit contained two tests.

Last week, Polisena and other elected officials also passed out kits at local senior citizen living facilities, nursing homes and veterans groups like Operation Stand Down Rhode Island. A few remaining cases of kits were spread out among church congregations in town following Saturday’s distribution.

“Our municipal leaders across all 39 cities and towns have been invaluable partners with my Administration throughout the COVID-19 pandemic,” McKee said. “Our state has shown tremendous resiliency over the last two years, and our cities and towns played a big role in that effort — the smooth distribution of rapid test kits in Johnston with Mayor Polisena is a perfect example. As a former Mayor, I understand the importance of connecting in on the local level and that’s why our team is committed to working closely with municipal leaders throughout our pandemic response and recovery.”

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