NEW YORK — As the holidays approach, many New Yorkers are having a hard time finding at-home rapid COVID-19 test kits in stores.

“You can’t find them anywhere. They are nowhere,” exclaimed Emily Davis as she stood outside her neighborhood pharmacy on the Upper East Side on Saturday. 

Davis said she has been on the hunt for the kits, but has not been able to find a single one. 

“It’s been very difficult.  I’ve been doing a lot of searching online," she said. "I actually came to Duane Reade and there weren’t any, so we ordered some online, but they won’t arrive 'til after Christmas, so it makes it tough."

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases in New York City continues to increase, more and more New Yorkers are getting tested ahead of the upcoming holiday. Davis said she is concerned.

“It’s everywhere — in the past 24 hours, I have three friends that called me that tested positive,” she said. “The stories, it feels different. March didn’t feel this way. It's every where now. It's scary." 

In an effort to combat the spread and keep hospitalizations to a minimum, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a six-point plan earlier this week to keep New Yorkers safe. As part of the plan, the city will give out 500,000 free at-home rapid tests, to be distributed by community-based organizations, as early as Monday.  

George King, who lives near the Duane Reade on East 89th Street and Madison Avenue, said he was one of the lucky ones who purchased an at-home test before they ran out Saturday.

“This store, I was allowed to buy one, and I went to another and got three, but  it wasn’t the preferred brand that my family wanted, and you can’t believe the scramble around me like bees to get them," King said.

A manager at the location said the pharmacy had a stock of 600, but they all flew off the shelves this past week. The mad dash for at-home tests may be linked to those planning to travel for the holidays while avoiding long lines at testing sites seen around the five boroughs.

“There were usually no lines, but this past week, it’s around the block and even before they open,” Davis said.

Davis said no matter what, her family is trying to be as safe as possible ahead of the holidays and will be getting tested.

“We intend to travel to visit family who are elderly and we are not going until we test," she said. "Everyone that has to go has to test."