At-home COVID-19 testing kits available at Manatee County libraries

At-home COVID-19 testing kits are available at Manatee County libraries on Wednesday, Jan. 5.

Manatee County is distributing 7,500 at-home rapid COVID-19 tests, provided by the Florida Department of Health, that are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the libraries' front desk area when the branches open. Each person may take up to four kits.

• Palmetto opens at 9 a.m. 
• South Manatee opens at 9 a.m. 
• Braden River opens at 10 a.m. 
• Downtown Central opens at noon
• Island opens at noon
• Rocky Bluff branches opens at noon.

“Manatee County is working hard to make sure all residents have access to COVID-19 tests,” Public Safety Director Jacob Saur said in a news release. “I want to remind everyone that the best way to continue to protect yourself from COVID-19 is by getting vaccinated and wearing a mask when you’re unable to social distance.”

The county emphasized in the release that the at-home tests are a helpful measure — along with getting vaccinated, wearing face masks and social distancing — in reducing the risk of COVID-19. If you test positive, the county recommends self-isolation for 10 days. If you test negative, the county recommends getting tested again within a few days.