Feb. 22, 2022

OSWEGO COUNTY – A series of drive-thru events planned in the coming weeks give Oswego County residents several chances to pick up at-home COVID-19 test kits.

The Oswego County Emergency Management Office (EMO) and Fire Coordinator’s Office worked with local first responder agencies to develop a distribution plan to reach every corner of the county. These community partners continue to distribute more than 30,000 at-home tests kits at various sites around the county.

“At-home testing can help mitigate the spread of the coronavirus and allow for earlier detection and better outcomes for those who are infected,” said EMO Director Cathleen Palmitesso. “EMO and the Fire Coordinator are partnering with fire departments throughout the county to make at-home test kits available to residents over the next few weeks.”

Eight fire departments are holding drive-thru test kit giveaways now through Saturday, March 19. During the current round of distribution, four test kits will be made available to each vehicle while supplies last.

Test kits are available to Oswego County residents only and residents can attend any of the following distribution events:

Tuesday, Feb. 22

2-5 p.m. Oswego Town Fire Department, 640 county Route 20, Oswego; 315-343-2030

• Enter at west end of parking lot, exit east end.

6-8 pm. West Monroe Fire Department, 54 county Route 11, West Monroe; 315-676-4600

 Wednesday, Feb. 23

2-7 p.m. Fulton Fire Department, at Fulton War Memorial Bldg.; 315-592-7477

• Enter at Cpl. CW Barratt Drive and follow signs along Lake Neatahwanta, exit onto William Gillard Drive.

2-6 p.m. Oswego City Fire Department, 35 E. Cayuga St., Oswego; 315-343-2161

• Enter at 36 E. Seneca St.

2-6 p.m. Williamstown Fire Department, 575 state Route 13, Williamstown; 315-964-2222

5-8 p.m. Phoenix Fire Department, at Oswego County Industrial Park; 315-695-6433

• Enter Park just off county Route 264 and follow signs on county Route 59.

6-8 p.m. West Monroe Fire Department

 Friday, Feb. 25

2-5 p.m. Oswego Town Fire Department

2-6 p.m. Oswego City Fire Department

 Saturday, Feb. 26

12-2 p.m. Parish Fire Department, 16 Union St., Parish; 315-625-7411

• Enter at Church Street, exit onto Union Street.

 Saturday, March 5

9 a.m. to noon Sandy Creek Fire Department, 6025 S. Main St., Sandy Creek; 315-387-5421

• Enter at Park Street, exit onto U.S. Route 11.

12-2 p.m. Parish Fire Department

 Saturday, March 12

9 a.m. to noon Sandy Creek Fire Department

 Saturday, March 19

9 a.m. to noon Sandy Creek Fire Department

At-home test kits are also being distributed to individuals receiving the COVID-19 vaccine at clinics administered by the Oswego County Health Department, and the county is working with municipalities, schools, nursing homes and other organizations to ensure testing is available to as many residents as possible.

For more information about these distribution events, go to www.oswegocounty.com and scroll down to the “Calendar of Events” or call the Oswego County Fire Coordinator’s Office at 315-349-8800.  

For health-related questions, go to the Oswego County Health Department’s COVID-19 page at https://health.oswegocounty.com/information/2019_novel_coronavirus/index.php or call its COVID-19 Hotline at 315-349-3330. Please note that you may need to leave a message and a staff person will return your call.

Under New York State Public Health Law, the Oswego County Health Department is the local public health authority regarding the COVID-19 pandemic response within the County of Oswego. The Oswego County Health Department works closely with New York State Department of Health regarding COVID-19 monitoring, response, and reporting.

COVID-19 TEST GIVEAWAY – Oswego County continues to work with community partners to distribute at-home COVID-19 tests. Residents can attend any of the events scheduled between now and March 19 to pick up test kits while supplies last. For a complete list of drive-thru distribution sites, go to www.oswegocounty.com and scroll down to the “Calendar of Events.” Pictured is Oswego Town Firefighter Bob Lighthall handing out tests Tuesday afternoon at a distribution event at the Oswego Town Fire Department.