COVID-19 tests, other health supplies offered free of charge in 51 kiosks in the County of Los Angeles. What you need to know

From this week, residents needing a covid-19 self-test kit, fentanyl test bands or other health supplies can get them free of charge in one of the 51 kiosks of the community health station in the County of Los Angeles.

The program of the community health station was initially created to continue the distribution of COVVI-19 antigen tests, also known as fast tests, according to the Department of Public Health. But in response to the “worst crisis of overdose of history, the HIV epidemic continues and the high STI levels in the county,” added the overdose prevention agency and sexual health products, according to the county agency.

Accidental drug overdose deaths jumped 48% in the first five months of the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to the same period in 2019, according to a recent report from the Department of Public Health.

In 2023, a total of 89,887 cases of sexually transmitted infection were reported to the Department of Public Health of the County, according to public health officials.

By storing kiosks with public health supplies, officials say that residents can take measures to protect themselves and protect others in the community.

“Having free public health supplies available to residents seven days a week in self-service community health stations facilitates access to important products that support health and saves lives,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the County Public Health Department, in a press release.

The kiosks have been placed in communities with less access to health care and resources and are in pharmacies, health centers, community centers and shelters for homeless, among other places, according to officials.

To date, public health officials claim that 80% of people who have used health supplies in kiosks have occurred as a homeless.

Ten of the kiosks are located on program sites and temporary housing locations managed by those concerned, a non -profit organization for social services. In these places, community health stations are in common areas within buildings, which makes them easily accessible while maintaining privacy, said Edgar Aguilar, spokesperson for the non-profit organization.

Locations concerning people concern:

• Kensington campus – 45244 32nd St. W., Lancaster, CA 93536
• Samoshel – 505 Olympic BLVD, Santa Monica, CA 90401
• The Vagabond – 3101 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, CA 90007
• El Puente – 711 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012

“By removing obstacles to access, kiosks allow individuals to protect their health and make enlightened choices, while strengthening our broader objective of meeting people where they are and to support their well-being without judgment,” said Aguilar.

A kiosk is located next to the Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center pharmacy in Downey.

“While patients go from hospital to daily life, stations provide easy and continuous access to essential health supplies without the need for appointments or travel,” said Alba Ibarra, spokesperson for the medical center.

To find the nearest community health station, see the online card of the Department of Public Health.

The kiosks of the community health station have the following products for free:

• Covid-19 auto-test kit: A box containing two tests.
• Naloxone: A drug that can reverse an overdose of opioids. A cardboard contains two single -use devices in Blister packages and instructions to use.
• Fentanyl test strip kit: A kit contains five bands and instructions individually wrapped and instructions to be used.
• Condoms: A set containing five traditional male condoms and five non -spermicidal lubricants.
• Internal condoms, also known as “Female” conservations: An internal condom enveloped individually and instructions to be used.

Kiosk users can respond to a short voluntary anonymous survey that will collect basic demographic information, but the survey is not required to access the products.

How often are the kiosks restricted?

Community health stations are replenished at least once a week or whenever a certain product in a kiosk is exhausted, according to public health officials. The sensors inside the kiosk alert the public health service during the necessary replenishment.

Who pays the products inside the kiosks?

The kiosk program is currently funded by a centers for Disease Control and Prevention centers in the context of a COVVID awareness effort. Since kiosks include the prevention of overdoses and sexual health products, part of the costs is also subsidized by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.