County To Distribute Free At-Home COVID-19 Rapid Tests To Residents Feb. 15 And 16

COUNTY NEWS RELEASE

Los Alamos County Emergency Management staff will distribute free at-home rapid antigen tests to Los Alamos and White Rock residents next week. Drive-through stations will be set up between the hours of 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. as follows,

White Rock: Tuesday, Feb. 15, parking lot of the Time Out Pizza Restaurant, 118 State Road 4. 

Townsite: Wednesday, Feb. 16, parking lot of the Mari Mac Shopping Center, 759 Central Ave. 

Individuals can receive up to four tests (two boxes that contain two tests each) while supplies last.  

The tests were secured by the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) in an effort to reduce the spread of the Omicron COVID-19 variant. Tests can be conveniently administered at home with results in 15 minutes.  Positive home-based test results should be reported on the State’s Self-Reporting Webform. Emergency Manager Beverley Simpson explains that early detection of individuals who are COVID positive means they can act sooner to:

  • Isolate and/or seek timely medical attention, and 
  • Notify others of potential exposures. 

No charge PCR COVID-19 tests continue to be available to the community at the Mari Mac parking lot on Tuesdays and Thursdays by appointment through Curative.com, or in White Rock, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Overlook Park, no appointment needed, tests performed by Pathology Consultants of New Mexico. Results are provided in 24 – 48 hours via text or email.

A third vendor, Peptineo LLC, is now offering COVID-19 testing in Los Alamos.  For a charge, Peptineo will provide at home concierge testing services. Individuals can schedule an appointment Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Peptineo staff will administer a PCR test at the individual’s home for a price of $269.99 for same-day priority or $159.99 for two-day results. Additional information is available on the website: https://www.peptineo.com/biofoundry or by phone at 855-385-5246.

Of course every home in the U.S. can order four free at-home COVID-⁠19 tests from the Federal Government at https://www.covidtests.gov or by calling 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

Visit the County’s webpage at https://lacnm.com/COVID for additional information about COVID testing and vaccine options in the community.