Municipal Distribution of COVID-19 Rapid Test Kits

As you are probably aware, Governor Lamont has announced plans to distribute three million COVID-19 at-home rapid tests and six million N95 masks to help curb the spread of COVID-19 during this heavy travel season. This initiative is intended to allow residents with symptoms or who have had potential recent exposure to test at home in order to make wise decisions about outings or other planned activities.

The first allocation will include approximately 600 test kits for Deep River, each containing two tests, and will be designated for Deep River residents only. We will not have enough tests for everyone, so if you do not need one NOW, please wait a few days.  More tests will be coming to the state and to the stores, and testing sites will be set up in our area soon.

A maximum of two test kits will be allowed per household.  Proof of residence will be required, with test kits available only so long as they last.  Please remember that Deep River is being allocated approximately 1 test per 4 people so supplies are extremely limited. 

When considering whether or not to pick up a test kit, please use the following guidance:

Yes -

If you have minor symptoms of a cold or have been in a group setting that may have exposed you to COVID-19.

If you know that you have encountered someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 within the past week.

No -

If you have held to your normal routine and have only associated with your normal cohort of people.

If you have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last two weeks.

The delivery of the Test Kits to Connecticut is planned for Thursday, December 30, but has yet to be confirmed.  Once we have the Test Kits in hand, we will post the distribution schedule. The situation is extremely fluid; we will update the website as soon as reliable information becomes available, probably Thursday morning.

Phase One of this program is extremely limited with only 600 Kits available to Deep River.  Phase Two will include the distribution of N95 masks in the next week or two, details of which are still being finalized and are subject to change.  In addition to the kits designated for the general public, the state has purchased another one million iHealth kits that will be distributed to K-12 schools statewide. Distribution of those kits will begin in January and continue through the school year as supplies last. More details on the distribution of tests for schools will be announced in early January.

Testing is not intended to be a substitute for vaccination, masking, hand washing and other safeguards from infection.  COVID-19 is very contagious; please keep your family and friends in mind as you celebrate this weekend.

Be well, be nice, peace

Angus