San Bernardino County is pausing the distribution of free antigen COVID-19 test kits until new supplies become available.
Nearly 285,000 two-test kits have been handed out at county-operated test sites and to community organizations and local government agencies since the third week of December, county spokesman David Wert wrote in an email Wednesday, Jan. 12.
It is unclear when the county will receive additional kits.
“In the meantime,” Wert wrote, “residents who are interested in securing antigen self-tests should check with pharmacies and other retailers, online retailers, and their healthcare providers.”
Residents should make appointments for PCR tests if they believe they have been exposed to the coronavirus, Wert added.
The current winter wave of COVID-19, fueled largely by the omicron variant, has prompted several local universities to re-implement distance learning for at least the first month of the spring semester.
Local school districts, meanwhile, continue to grapple with dwindling teacher and student attendance due to the tide of positive cases.
Some government agencies have closed city facilities to the public.
San Bernardino County presently has 10 testing sites and six public health clinics open with 8,000 tests conducted daily. To check for availability, visit sbcovid19.com online.
