Miami-Dade Giving Out At-Home COVID Rapid Test Kits At Public Libraries
MIAMI (CBSMiami - Miami-Dade is now giving out free take-home rapid test kits at public libraries in an effort to meet the rapid rise in demand for COVID testing.
"As we tackle the spread of Omicron and the recent surge in demand for COVID testing, Miami-Dade County is doing everything we can to make testing as accessible as possible across our community – including by distributing free take-home rapid test kits to residents," said Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in a statement.
Residents were able to pick up take-home rapid test kits at five library locations on Friday, December 24, while supplies lasted.
Those locations are:
- North Dade Regional Library
2455 NW 183 Street
Miami Gardens - Kendale Lakes Branch Library
15205 SW 88 Street
Miami - Northeast Dade - Aventura Branch
2930 Aventura Boulevard
Aventura - South Dade Regional Library
10750 SW 211 Street
Cutler Bay - Westchester Regional Library
9445 Coral Way
Miami
At the Kendale Lakes branch, DeeDee Gilli got three of the tests.
"It's very important to get tested, to make sure you don't have COVID, and make sure you don't super spread it," said Gilli.
Cars lined up early on SW 152nd Avenue.
"I saw it on Miami-Dade police, they posted it last night on Instagram. I got here at six, saw it, saw it wasn't too much of a line. I live across the street. I came back an hour later and the line was messy," said Camino Carrillo.
Carrillo was one of the lucky ones. He got his test kits and he couldn't be happier.
"It's Christmas and I wanted to make sure I was safe so I can be with my family and not worry about, you know, hurting my grandma, anybody. Keep everybody safe," said Carrillo.
"I know the tests are hard to come by now and I just want to do the best I can to keep me and my community safe," said Allan Elliott.
It didn't take long to pass out all those home tests. At Kendale Lakes, the supply was exhausted in about two hours.
"We've given away almost 12,500 test kits which depletes our supply for today," said Miami-Dade Public Libraries Director Ray Baker.
In Miami Gardens, most of the tests had been given out in an hour.
More than 2,500 kits were passed out at each location.
Those who missed out will have another chance to get a free at-home testing kit at 27 different Miami-Dade libraries on Monday, December 27th, during regular operating hours.
Those locations are:
- Allapattah Branch
1799 NW 35 Street - Arcola Lakes Branch
8240 NW 7 Avenue - California Club Branch
700 Ives Dairy Road - Coconut Grove Branch
2875 McFarlane Road - Concord Branch
3882 SW 112 Avenue - Coral Reef Branch
9211 SW 152 Street - Country Walk Branch
15433 SW 137 Avenue - Edison Center Branch
531 NW 62 Street - Fairlawn Branch
6376 SW 8 Street - Golden Glades Branch
100 NE 166 Street - Hialeah Gardens Branch
13451 NW 107 Avenue - Hispanic Branch Library
1398 SW 1 Street - International Mall Branch
10315 NW 12 Street
Doral - Kendale Lakes Branch
15205 SW 88 Street - Main Library
101 West Flagler Street - Miami Beach Regional Library
227 22nd Street - Miami Lakes Branch
6699 Windmill Gate Road - Naranja Branch
14850 SW 280 Street - North Dade Regional Library
2455 NW 183 Street
Miami Gardens - North Shore Branch
7501 Collins Avenue
Miami Beach - Northeast Dade - Aventura Branch
2930 Aventura Boulevard
Aventura - Palm Springs North Branch
17601 NW 78 Avenue
Hialeah - South Dade Regional
10750 SW 211 Street
Cutler Bay - South Miami Branch
6000 Sunset Drive - Westchester Regional Library
9445 Coral Way - West Flagler Branch
5050 West Flagler Street - West Kendall Regional Library
10201 Hammocks Boulevard
There is a limit of up to three tests per household while supplies last.
For those wanting to go to a test site, in Miami Dade on Christmas Eve all testing sites close at 3 p.m.
On Christmas Day, the open sites are: Tropical Park, South Dade Government Center, and Miami-Dade College North Campus.
On New Year's Eve, all Miami-Dade sites have regular hours except South Dade Government Center and Tropical Park, which close at 7 p.m.
On New Year's Day, the open sites are: Tropical Park, South Dade Government Center, Miami Dade College North Campus, and PortMiami.
In Broward, all test sites are closed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.
For a list of COVID testing sites across South Florida, click here.
