At Home COVID Tests Hard To Come By Amid Omicron Spike

If you're looking for an at home COVID test, you may be out of luck as local pharmacies are struggling to get them on the shelves. 

Dr. Dani Lynch with Thrifty Pharmacy said her phone is constantly ringing. 

“I get calls by the hour that we probably field two dozen calls easily maybe more an hour,” Dr. Lynch said. 

It's gotten to the point she knows what callers want before she answers. She said most of her calls are people asking for at home COVID tests. 

“The last time we had any in stock was Christmas eve and we've kept them for the last year and a half in stock every day when nobody else had any and my sources dried up also,” Dr. Lynch said. 

Dr. Lynch said she checks in with her source twice a day, but her shelves remain empty. 

She said it felt like overnight there were no more tests. She said as the omicron variant cases continued to increase so did the rapid home test sales. 

“We see this omicron is just very, very contagious, within three days people are sick and I think this is just my personal opinion, but I think because the government is getting ready to release some for free to people after the first of the year that they may be stopping some of the supply chain,” Dr. Lynch said. 

Dr. Lynch said she also heard from patients who are concerned about being exposed, which is why they would rather test themselves than visit a clinic or drive thru. 

Dr. Lynch said she's hopeful that at home tests will be available soon. In the meantime, click here to find information on how you can schedule an appointment with the county health department.