NEWPORT — Free rapid test kits have arrived in parts of the Upper Valley.
As part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services COVID-19 testing supply program, the Newport Health Center received 8,100 antigen home test kits for distribution, said Timothy Lund, a New London Hospital spokesman.
The free kits will be available for anyone in the community beginning on Saturday, but supplies are limited, according to the hospital’s Facebook page. The health center is scheduled to give out the kits in a Saturday drive-thru from 8:30-10:30 a.m. There will be a limit of one kit per person.
After Saturday, the health center will offer kits during scheduled office visits and in the center’s COVID-19 testing drive-thru while supplies last.
The kits came to Newport as part of the Biden administration’s “Path Out of the Pandemic” plan and are aimed at helping to “ensure and expand community based COVID-19 mitigation efforts,” Lund said in an email.
The Bugbee Senior Center in White River Junction has free rapid tests from the Vermont Health Department available for seniors, according to Mark Bradley, the center’s executive director.
Bugbee has about 80 boxes available. People can pick up the tests at the center on North Main Street or call 802-295-9068 to arrange to get one or to confirm that a kit is still available. If seniors aren’t feeling well, Bugbee employees can bring the kits out to the parking lot, or arrange for volunteers to drop off kits, Bradley said.
Test kits also are available for free at covidtests.gov.
LEBANON — Dartmouth-Hitchcock is scheduled to host a free webinar on children’s mental health on Wednesday.
Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock is partnering with Upper Valley Project Launch, a program of the Dartmouth Trauma Interventions Research Center, to host “When Worry Shows Up: How Parents and Caregivers can Help Children during Uncertain Times.” This one-hour virtual discussion on Wednesday is slated to feature Lynn Lyons, a child anxiety specialist.
The discussion will focus on how anxiety works in young children ages of 8 and under; how to address anxieties in your own children; and how to work with professionals such as educators and doctors to ensure your child is getting what they need for their mental health. Lyons will address the theme of child anxiety, including topics such as how to approach transitions, helping children face big life changes and addressing the fear of failure.
Lyons will take questions from participants as part of the discussion, which will run from 7:30-8:30 p.m. Registration is required and can be completed at http://bit.ly/3m6gRC2.
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — Of the 21 ongoing COVID-19 outbreaks in Vermont long-term care facilities, two are in the Upper Valley, according to the Vermont Department of Health.
An outbreak at the Village at White River Junction included a total of 22 cases as of Tuesday, while an outbreak at Valley Terrace had seven cases. Those mark increases from last week, when each facility had six cases.
THETFORD — COVID-19 vaccine clinics are scheduled to take place in Thetford, Charlestown and Chelsea on Saturday.
The Thetford Volunteer Fire Department is hosting a mobile vaccine clinic with the Brattleboro, Vt.-based Rescue Inc. and the Vermont Department of Health on Saturday from 10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in the Thetford Elementary School parking lot. The clinic is slated to offer the Pfizer vaccine for children ages 5-11, Pfizer for ages 12 and up, and Moderna for ages 18 and up. No appointments needed.
The Charlestown Primary School, 84 East St. Extension, also will host a Saturday clinic in the gymnasium. The walk-in clinic is set to run from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and to offer first, second and booster doses for people age 5 and older. Moderna, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson vaccines will be available.
First Branch Ambulance is scheduled to host a COVID-19 vaccine clinic on Saturday at the Chelsea Fire Station from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The free clinic will offer the Pfizer 12-and-older and Moderna vaccines.
In addition, Weathersfield School, 135 Schoolhouse Road, Ascutney, Vt., is set to host a free clinic on Feb. 19 from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. No appointments needed. The community is welcome to attend.
Nora Doyle-Burr can be reached at ndoyleburr@vnews.com or 603-727-3213.
