Towns firming up plans for COVID test-kit distribution

State officials have announced plans to distribute COVID-19 at-home testing kits as the demand for them surges and record high positivity rates are recorded.

Plans were still being finalized in some local towns for distribution Wednesday, while others had created signup sheets, hoping to distribute as early as Thursday.

But, those plans have hit a snag after Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday the shipment from California is delayed, leaving local officials unsure exactly when the tests would be arriving.

A total of 3 million at-home test kits are planned to be disseminated statewide, with the first distribution to include about 500,000. Each kit will include two tests.

The demand for the kits comes as stores rapidly sell out and as people have strug

gled booking PCR COVID-19 tests in a timely fashion. The COVID-19 omicron variant has also spiked cases throughout the state, with a 17.78% positivity rate recorded Wednesday and hospitalizations continued to climb.

Here is how local officials in the Danbury area are planning to distribute testing kits. Please note, some times and dates could change based on the shipment arrival time.

Danbury

The city will receive 10,890 COVID-19 test kits and plans to distribute them first-come, first-served. Local leaders said Wednesday they would distribute at Western Connecticut State University’s Westside campus at 43 Lake Ave. Extension. Officials did not say what day or time yet, pending the arrival of the test kit shipment.

New Milford

The town expects to receive 3,600 test kits in its first delivery. Distribution will be at the John Pettibone Community Center when kits arrive. Residents can sign up online through the town website to receive priority and families with children can sign up for up to two test kits. Those receiving tests need to show proof of residency.

New Fairfield

The town was planning to distribute COVID test kits from 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday in front of New Fairfield Middle School, according to a post on the town’s website Monday night. The site had not been updated by the time of publication Wednesday night. Proof of residency will be required and those looking for tests will be asked to enter the campus driveway closest to Peerless Equipment and exit from the new westside driveway. No more than two kits will be distributed per household. The town expects to receive about 1,700 kits.

Ridgefield

There were no initial plans as of Wednesday evening to distribute the 3,150 COVID test kits to the general public. Instead, police and fire departments will be first priority, followed by “critical people in town government.” First Selectman Rudy Marconi said more than 2,000 of the kits will be distributed to residents through a public distribution process that has not yet been announced.

Redding

The town initially planned to distribute test kits Friday at the Redding Community Center on Lonetown Road from 12 to 3 p.m. With shipments delayed, the town has put the distribution on hold. Once they arrive, Redding plans to distribute its 1,170 kits and an ID will be required to receive two tests. Newtown

The town, expected to receive 3,420 kits, will distribute by appointment. Residents are asked to make an appointment through the town website and pick the kits up at Reed School. Only two kits are allowed per household and proof of residency is required. Residents are also asked to bring their confirmation email that they receive once making an appointment.

Southbury

The town, expecting to receive 2,520 kits, was planning to distribute kits from 2 to 4 p.m. at Pomperaug High. The plan is on hold until the kits arrive, however. Proof of residency will be required.

Washington

Test kits will tentatively be available on a first-come, firstserved basis Friday at 9 a.m. at the River Walk pavilion at 11 School St. A limited number of tests will be available to those 65 and older at the Senior Center at 6 Bryan Hall Plaza beginning Monday at 9 a.m. The town expects to receive 540 kits. Proof of residence will be required.

Brookfield

The town will distribute on a first-come, first-served basis sometime on Friday, according to an automated message on the health department’s voicemail. The town originally planned to distribute at 3 p.m. Thursday at Brookfield High School, but needed to postpone due to a delay in the shipment from the state, the message stated. The town expects to receive 2,250 kits.

Sherman

Test kits will be available on a first-come, first-served basis at the Sherman School on the outside sidewalk by the front office Friday from 9 a.m. until noon. One kit will be distributed per household and proof of residency is required. There are 450 kits expected to be distributed.

Bethel

The town, which expects to receive 2,600 kits, did not release details with distribution plans Wednesday. Officials were planning to announce plans sometime Thursday. In the meantime, officials ask residents not call Town Hall.

Roxbury

Expecting about 360 kits in the first shipment, town officials plan to distribute kits to local schools with the remaining tests given primarily to first responders. It is expected some kits would be held at Town Hall for residents.

Bridgewater

The town expects to receive 270 kits and will reserve that shipment for ambulance and fire department staff.