NEVADA is ordering over half a million additional at-home COVID-19 tests in response to the current surge in cases, according to Governor Steve Sisolak.

The Silver State is expected to receive over 588,000 at-home test kits, the governor announced on Thursday, January 13 during a virtual press conference to provide updates on the increase in cases since mid-December and the latest surge compared to the previous year.

The first shipment of at-home tests, which is covered by federal COVID relief funding, is expected to arrive by the end of January.

“We know that Nevadans want easy and convenient access to COVID-19 testing from the comfort of their own home, and this project will help us accomplish that goal and help relieve some of the strain on our other testing systems,” said Sisolak.

The “bulk” of the tests will be distributed to Southern Nevada and will be available at health centers, fire departments, libraries, community organizations and other locations.

The governor reminded residents to get vaccinated and boosted if they haven’t already.

“I want to remind Nevadans that this moment in time is very different from where we found ourselves in March 2020,” Sisolak said. “We have incredibly powerful tools to help fight the virus — the most powerful of which are the COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics.”

Information on how to receive the at-home rapid test kits will be updated on the Nevada Health Response’s website.

As of Thursday, Nevada reported 3,661 new cases, for a cumulative total of 543,102 since the beginning of the pandemic. Meanwhile, the state reported 1,623 confirmed and suspected hospitalizations and six deaths, for a total of 8,606 fatalities.