A “limited number” of free COVID-19 test kits are available to Darien residents who can prove they live in town in a drive-thru distribution event starting at noon, Sunday, Jan. 2, at the Darien High School campus, First Selectman Monica McNally said.
McNally also said: “This current supply of at-home tests is very limited and intended for residents that are symptomatic or that have a known exposure to someone who tested positive.”
The tests, two per household, will be given out until they run out, McNally told the town late Saturday afternoon in a Code Red message.
The tests have already been given to the town government, McNally said, but the number of them is “substantially less than originally expected.”
Everyone coming to get the tests will have to enter the high school campus from Noroton Avenue and leave through Nutmeg Lane. (High School Lane will be blocked.)
“Once all the tests have been handed out, a notification will be made via this same [Code Red] alert system,” McNally said.
No need to contact the town if you test positive for COVID-19 through these tests, she said — but tell “people you have spent time with lately if you tested positive, so that they can get tested and protect others, too.”
The town will have booster shot clinics on Tuesday, Jan. 4 and another on Saturday, Jan. 8. “Please register through the VAMS portal for these.”
Full Text of Saturday’s COVID-19 Code Red Message
Jan. 1, 2022
Good evening, this is First Selectman Monica McNally with a COVID-19 update for Saturday, Jan. 1.
The Connecticut Department of Emergency and Homeland Security provided a limited supply of COVID at-home rapid test kits for Darien. Darien has possession of its tests. This allocation is substantially less than originally expected.
Our test distribution has been rescheduled to take place tomorrow, Sunday, Jan. 2 at Darien High School from 12 noon to 3 p.m. The Darien drive through distribution center will be open to residents only and proof of residency will be required.
This current supply of at-home tests is very limited and intended for residents that are symptomatic or that have a known exposure to someone who tested positive.
Two tests per household will be handed out, which means that approximately 1,728 Darien families will receive tests. Availability is on a first come first serve basis and the test are free.
The traffic pattern for drive through distribution at the high school will be the same as it is each year for the fireworks. Vehicles will enter from Noroton Ave. and exit from Nutmeg Lane. High School Lane will be blocked. Once all the tests have been handed out, a notification will bemade via this same alert system.
You do not need to report your results to public health authorities, but you should tell your close contacts (people you have spent time with lately) if you tested positive, so that they can get tested and protect others, too. In addition, if a child who attends day care or school tests positive, you should inform the appropriate administrator.
You can find additional information on the town [government] website, including links to the CDC and the Connecticut Department of Public Health and Safety and this COVID update.
There are two Darien booster clinics scheduled for this week, one on Tuesday, Jan. 4 and another on Saturday, Jan. 8. Please register through the VAMS portal for these.
Thank you, and I wish you all a Happy New Year.