UPDATE, 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 29:
The test kit distribution event planned for Thursday afternoon at Darien High School will NOT take place, First Selectman Monica McNally announced in an early evening CodeRed message to town residents.
“I am sorry to share with you that we received notice late this afternoon from the Governor’s Office that the expected supply of at-home COVID test kits being provided by the State to Darien has not yet arrived in Connecticut,” McNally said.
“Upon confirmation from the Governor’s Office that the test kits are in Connecticut, I will advise everyone of the new distribution plan via this notification system,” she said.
Full Text of First Selectman’s Wednesday Message
From a 6:30 p.m. email:
Hello,
This is your First Selectman Monica McNally. I am sorry to share with you that we received notice late this afternoon from the Governor’s Office that the expected supply of at-home COVID test kits being provided by the State to Darien has not yet arrived in Connecticut. This is very disappointing news, as I know many Darien residents were hoping to access these test kits. As a result, tomorrow’s drive through distribution of the kits at Darien High School is canceled. Upon confirmation from the Governor’s Office that the test kits are in Connecticut, I will advise everyone of the new distribution plan via this notification system. All new information will also be on the Town website. Again, I’ll be back in touch when we have more information to share. Thank you.Original Article
Published Tuesday, Dec. 28:
COVID-19 test kits provided by the state for free will be given out at Darien High School from 1 to 4 p.m., this Thursday, Dec. 28, First Selectman Monica McNally said Tuesday in a CodeRed message to the town.
Each household gets two kits, she said.
The kits are being given out to Darien residents only, and you’ll have to prove you live in town (if you don’t have a driver’s license with a Darien address, perhaps a bill or some other piece of mail will do the trick).
There are a limited number, and they’ll go out on a first-come, first-served basis (so the earlier you get there, the better).
“Once all the kits have been handed out, a notification will be made via this same alert system,” McNally said.
Vehicles must enter from Noroton Avenue and exit from Nutmeg Lane. High School Lane (which goes past Darien United Methodist Church) will be closed. (Here’s a map.)
“The current supply of at-home tests is limited, so please only pick up free tests if you need them,” McNally said. She suggested using tests if you’re celebrating New Year’s Eve with others.
She also said the state might put a testing site in Darien.
Full Text of McNally’s CodeRed Message
Good afternoon, This is First Selectman Monica McNally with a COVID-19 update for Tuesday, Dec. 28.
There were 74 positive cases reported from Dec. 22 to 27, from tests taken between Dec. 18 to 23. Yesterday, Gov. Lamont announced a plan to distribute a limited supply of COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits. The purpose of this distribution is to provide test kits to be used this week to reduce the spread of the Omicron variant. Darien’s test kit distribution is scheduled to take place at Darien High School this Thursday, Dec. 30 from 1 to 4 p.m. Since a limited number of kits are being allocated to each community, the Darien distribution center will be open to residents only and proof of residency will be required. A limit of two kits per household will be imposed, availability is on a first come first serve basis, and the test kits are free. The traffic pattern for distribution at the high school will be the same as it is each year for the fireworks. Vehicles must enter from Noroton Avenue and exit from Nutmeg Lane. High School Lane will be blocked. Once all the kits have been handed out, a notification will be made via this same alert system. The Connecticut Department of Public Health is in the process of adding seven more community testing sites, including a potential location in Darien. Information on all of the testing sites is available by calling 2-1-1, or visiting 211CT.org. Yesterday, the Center for Disease Control & Prevention modified its quarantine and masking recommendations. Complete details on the revised guidance may be found on our website. The current supply of at-home tests is limited, so please only pick up free tests if you need them. If you plan to gather with friends or family for New Year’s Eve you should test, and follow the CDC guidelines if you test positive. I wish you all a healthy and happy 2022.