Several towns on the Cape have begun to distribute free, at-home COVID-19 testing kits to residents as part of new programs amid rising virus cases.

Eastham received 810 kits, containing two tests each, as part of the Baker-Polito administration's distribution of 2.1 million free, at-home test kits to 102 Massachusetts communities to help stop the spread of coronavirus this holiday season. Eastham distributed all of the kits Monday by 11:30 a.m., officials said.

The communities across the state were chosen because they have the highest number of families living in poverty. The other Cape towns receiving the kits through the state program were Barnstable, Dennis and Orleans.

Indoor mask advisory:Not a mandate. What we know about all of Gov. Baker's COVID responses

Dennis partnered with Elder Services of Cape Cod, the Dennis Council on Aging, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District and the Dennis Housing Authority to identify low-income town residents and those on fuel assistance, said town health director Kristen Keller. The town, which received 2,100 kits — two tests per kit — began distributing them Monday and expect to distribute all of them by Thursday, at the latest, she said.

COVID on Cape Cod:Why it might be hard to get a COVID-19 booster on Cape for holidays

Barnstable received 6,300 COVID test kits, with 12,600 tests, which have been distributed to partners, including Barnstable public schools, the council on aging, Barnstable Housing Authority and faith-based organizations, according to the town's Facebook site.

Orleans Health Agent Alexandra Fitch said Friday that a limited number of test kits will be handed out from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Orleans Department of Public Works — with a two-kit limit per household. Other kits will be distributed to agencies in town serving families with high need or financial hardship, she said.

COVID in Massachusetts:Cape's COVID-19 positivity rate is still higher than the state average

Yarmouth, though not part of the state’s free distribution program, used Community Development Block Grant money from the COVID-19 Economic Relief Act to purchase 500 kits to be distributed to low- and moderate-income town residents. A total of 236 kits were given out Monday and the distribution continued Tuesday, health director Bruce Murphy said.