Although COVID-19 positivity rates and hospitalizations are down significantly versus the past two holiday seasons, COVID-19 still remains a threat and Delaware County residents continue to test positive for the virus.
To help keep residents safe this holiday season, the Delaware County Health Department is offering free COVID-19 at-home test kits to Delaware County residents beginning in December.
The at-home COVID-19 test kits are available for pick-up (limit 2 per person) at the Delaware County Wellness Centers in Yeadon and Chester, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., on three consecutive Fridays in December: Dec. 2, Dec. 9., and Dec 16. Residents can pick up their test kits at their convenience at either Wellness Center. No registration is required, and parking is free.
The Delaware County Wellness Center at Yeadon
125 Chester Ave., Yeadon, PA 19050
The Delaware County Wellness Center at Chester
151 W. 5th St., Chester, PA 19013
WHEN TO GET TESTED
Residents who are gathering this holiday season with individuals at risk, older adults, or those who are immunocompromised are advised to test themselves for COVID-19 as close the time of the gathering as possible.
If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19, the CDC recommends that you wait at least 5 days until after your exposure to receive reliable results from a test. If you test negative, consider testing again in 1 to 2 days after your initial test.
Residents experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms, including fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, or diarrhea are advised to test themselves immediately.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT TEST KITS
Self-tests for COVID-19 give rapid results and can be taken anywhere, regardless of your vaccination status or whether or not you have symptoms.
Note that self-tests do not detect antibodies which would suggest a previous infection and they do not measure your level of immunity.
Be sure that presents are the only thing you are giving your friends and family this holiday season!