The Santa Barbara County Public Health Department has requested over 200,000 at-home COVID-19 antigen test kits from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, a federal healthcare partner.

As of Friday, nearly 57,000 test kits have been delivered and will be distributed via community partners countywide. The remaining kits are expected to arrive in the coming weeks.

“Through the receipt of these initial test kit shipments, we are on the road to community members having regular access to free, at-home test kits,” shared County Public Health Director Van Do-Reynoso.

“It is only through the many partners that have agreed to assist in test kit distribution that we are able to ensure equity of access for all of our Santa Barbara County communities.”

Approximately 35 community partners, including those serving populations at greatest risk from adverse outcomes related to COVID-19 have been allocated test kits. Partners include community-based organizations, cities, agricultural and public housing providers, service providers for persons experiencing homelessness, and more.

Community distribution events will begin taking place as test kits are given to partners in the next few days.

Sites open to the public will be listed at https://publichealthsbc.org/testing. The 2-1-1 Call Center will be available to direct persons who do not have access to the internet as sites are opened.

County Public Health will host a one-day distribution event open to the public in Santa Maria this Saturday, Jan. 22, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.

If supplies run out before 4 p.m., the event will end early. The event will take place at the Santa Maria Health Care Center located at 2115 Centerpointe Pkwy in Santa Maria.

For information about current testing opportunities, vaccination events, and COVID-19 response locally, visit https://publichealthsbc.org or call 2-1-1.