The City of Poughkeepsie gave out several hundred COVID-19 test kits on Thursday, and demand was so high, it ran out within hours.

City police officers handed out 1,200 kits to city residents during the morning hours. Despite the cold, city residents lined up bright and early behind the police station.

Those who wanted a test kit drove or walked up to receive them. Each car received an N95 mask, one kit with two tests and instructions.

What You Need To Know

  • Only city of Poughkeepsie residents were eligible to receive a test kit at Thursday's distribution event

  • The city distributed about 1,200 test kits on Thursday

  • Residents were able to drive up or walk up to receive their test kits

With at-home COVID tests hard to find in stores, residents like Joan Svenson made sure to arrive early.

"Well, we had a hard time finding tests to buy, and I had a few. I just gave one to a friend," Svenson said.

With Dutchess County’s positivity rate hitting 21% on Wednesday, demand for testing was high.

The county distributed a limited supply of at-home tests to each of its municipalities based on population size.

"Our plan always has been as soon as we get the kits, we have a plan in place and then we want to get them out as soon as possible," Mayor Rob Rolison said.

When the site opened Thursday, Poughkeepsie had about 1,200 test kits. In just two hours, they had only 300 left.

Rolison said he hopes distributing the home tests will help keep the city moving.

"The real concept of the home test kits is, this way if you have them and you don’t feel well, you can test," he said. "If it comes back as a positive, well, then alter your plan and don’t go out."

The city hopes to receive more test kits to distribute in the weeks ahead and are looking at setting up distribution sites in different parts of the city.

For residents like Draymon Sutton, testing has become a normal part of life.

"I'm working with Nubian Directions, Inc., and our students and also the staff, we make sure that we are vaccinated, and not only vaccinated, but we want to make sure that we are tested," Sutton said.

Although the site was set to close around 5 p.m., the tests were gone before 11 a.m.

Those who were turned away were told to check with their local municipalities to find out when test kits will be distributed in their area.