CONNECTICUT (WFSB) –Towns and cities across the state are distributing at-home COVID rapid tests on Sunday, Jan. 2 to residents of that town or city.
Each kits includes two tests.
Proof of residency is required.
- Bethel
- Staring at 11 a.m. at Bethel High School.
- They are prioritizing front-line workers.
- One test kit per household.
- Please do not que up early.
- Brookfield
- From noon until 1 p.m. at the town hall.
- First come, first serve basis.
- Up to two kits per household.
- Clinton
- Instruction emails will be sent out to individuals that have reported symptoms.
- Haddam
- Starting at 1 p.m. at Haddam Killingworth High School.
- Two kits and N-95 masks per household.
- First come, first serve basis, but high-risk individuals, and those with symptoms are a priority.
- Litchfield
- At 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Bantam Annex.
- For residents that suspect they’ve been exposed to COVID-19.
- Must be a resident of Litchfield, Bantam, Northfield, Milton or East Litchfield.
- Limit of 2 kits per car.
- Middlebury
- From 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. at 65 Tucker Hill Road
- First come, first serve basis
- N-95 masks will also be distributed.
- Naugatuck
- Starting at 10 a.m. at the Naugatuck Event Center.
- Preference given to those who are symptomatic as well as the elderly.
- The distribution will last until we run out of test kits.
- The Mayor is asking those who are able to wait for future shipments to allow those in greater need to take advantage of this first shipment.
- Plainville
- Starting at noon until 2 p.m. at the Plainville High School.
- Maximum of two kits per car.
- First come, first serve basis while supplies last.
- Portland
- Starting at 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Portland High School.
- The kits are being prioritized to those individuals who are considered as either high-risk, front line workers, those showing symptoms, and those who have had close contact with someone who has tested COVID positive.
- Each car will receive one test kit and two N-95 masks.
- Trumbull
- Starting at 9 a.m. until noon at Unity Park.
- Must be on the reservation list and have a town ID.
- Waterbury
- Starting at 10 a.m. at Municipal Stadium and the town hall.
- First come first serve basis.
- Watertown
- At 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at John Trumbull Primary School.
- First come, first serve basis.
- Limit two kits per car.
- If all tests are distributed, they will close early.
- Woodbury
- At 1 p.m. at the Quassuk Road firehouse
- One kit per household if you are symptomatic or have been exposed.
The DxTerity COVID-19 Saliva at-Home Collection Kit, which received an emergency use authorization last month from the Food and Drug Administration, appears to be the only at-home coronavirus test for sale on Amazon.
Over a million COVID rapid take home tests were set to be shipped throughout Connecticut but were delayed due to shipping and warehouse delays.
It doesn’t look like much now, but in just a few hours Portland High School will turn into one of the many distribution centers for these long-awaited take home COVID tests.
Kathy Rose, a Portland resident says she’s been searching constantly for COVID tests and she was relieved to hear that Portland High School will be a distribution center for at home COVID tests kits.
“I am happy this is being done it’s going to help a lot of people,” said Rose.
The town of Portland is planning to hand out over 600 free test kits and N95 masks starting at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday at the high school.
Health officials are asking for only residents who are high at risk, frontline works, been exposed or showing symptoms to pick up kits.
Rose says her concern with this rollout plan is access. “It would be great to get one of these things but it’s hard when you are at work all day and the times aren’t convenient.”
Conveniency remains a challenge.
Just this week millions of COVID tests were scheduled to be delivered throughout Connecticut but were delayed due to shipping and warehouse delays.
Now, towns like Middlebury have only received partial of their original shipment.
Middlebury Volunteer Fire Chief Brett Kales said, “we were supposed to get 990 kits, that was just for the town of Middlebury and now we are down to 500 kits.”
Kales says they will begin handing out testing kits starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday at their fire station and now must assist other entities in the area with tests.
“Because the order fell short, now, we have to supply the school and have a little on hand so they can do their own testing if needed,” said Kales.
He adds that he understands that many remain frustrated but is asking for everyone’s patience.
“Everyone is doing the best they can,” he said.
Copyright 2021 WFSB. All rights reserved.
