Rapid COVID-19 test site to remain open
HARTFORD — The CVS Health rapid COVID-19 test site in Hartford, the only one of its kind in Connecticut, will stay open through the end of the year rather than closing this weekasplanned, the city said Tuesday.
It’s the second extension of the free, walk-up, COVID-19 testing at the Samuel V. Arroyo Recreation Center in Pope Park, which CVSHealth has been operating since June. The site, supported through a contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, was initially scheduled to run through July and then through September.
Patients can schedule an appointment by calling Hartford311at860-757-9311, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Results are available within about half an hour.
In an afternoon news conference, Mayor Luke Bronin said about 15,000 tests have been processed at the Arroyo Center. He also reiterated that any Hartford resident can get tested if they want to.
As of Sept. 20, there was a seven-day average of eight new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people in Hartford, according to city health directorLianyArroyo. That’s anuptickoverrecentweeks.
Widespread testing will play a large role in controlling this long-anticipated increase in the virus.
“The numbers we’re seeing are manageable but we need to manage them,” Bronin said.
“i don’t think the spike we’reseeingissodramaticor so profound that we need to changecourseinanyspecific policy area,” headded,“butI dothinkitmeansweallhave to remember we’re still in the midst of a pandemic and the things we do personally really, really matter.”
Here’s where you can get a test in Hartford:
Hartford Hospital, 560 Hudson St. Daily, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Drive-thru and walk-up testing is available. If you have a primary care physician, they will refer you. If you don’t have a physician or have other questions, call Hartford HealthCare’s clinical call center at 860-972-8100 or toll-free at 833-621-0600.
St. Francis Hospital, 1000 Asylum Ave. Monday-Saturday, beginning at 9 a.m.: Drive-thru and walk-up testing is available. No appointment is necessary. Testing for children is available. For information, call 860-714-4000, Ext. 1.
CVS Pharmacy, 479 Blue Hills Ave.: Drivethru only. Register online at https://www.cvs.com/ minuteclinic/covid-19testing.
CVS Pharmacy, 150 Washington St.: Drivethru only. Register online at https://www.cvs.com/ minuteclinic/covid-19testing.
CVS Pharmacy, 690 Wethersfield Ave.: Drivethru only. Register online at https://www.cvs.com/ minuteclinic/covid-19testing.
Charter Oak Health Center, 21 Grand St. Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-in only. Make an appointment by calling 860-550-7500.
InterCommunity Inc., 16 Coventry St. Monday-Friday, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Walk-up anddrive-thru available. No appointment required. For information, call 860-5695900.
Wheeler Clinic Health and Wellness Center, 43-49 Woodland St. For information, call 860-7933500.
Community Health Services, 500 Albany Ave. Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Appointment required, for current CHS patients only. To schedule an appointment, call 860-249-9625.
Hartford Public Schools. Nurses will soon begin offering COVID19 tests to symptomatic students and staff. Results will be processed by Hartford Hospital and Saint Francis Medical Center within 24 hours.