Coronavirus Darien: Town Establishes New Test Collection Site

DARIEN, CT — After abruptly canceling a planned drive-thru coronavirus test collection site at Darien Town Hall, and taking heat for the decision, town officials announced they have established a new site at Darien High School that will launch on March 23.

The town and public school district are teaming up for the effort while schools remain closed.

The drive-thru coronavirus (COVID-19) test site will be managed by Murphy Medical Associates, which is handling similar sites in other communities.

"Testing will be offered from 1:00-4:00pm beginning Monday, March 23, at the Darien High
School, 80 High School Lane," officials said. "Testing will be offered each Monday until further notice. Additional testing times will be considered as demand requires."

Anyone interested in being tested for COVID-19 must be pre-screened and have a pre-set appointment by the testing organization. Drive thru testing will be performed outside. No access to the high school facility will be permitted.

"Testing is only being offered to those who have doctor's orders and are approved through an
on-line screening process at https://coronatestct.com," officials said. "Those who arrive to the site without an appointment will be turned away."

The planned testing site in the lower parking lot of Town Hall reportedly was canceled in part because nearby neighbors complained.

According to Darien Health Director David Knauf, "when the original Pandemic Flu Plan was developed for the Town, the Darien High School was selected as the site where any necessary vaccines or medications would be provided to the public. The location is relatively isolated from residential areas and the traffic flow can be readily controlled to maintain security. The proposed coronavirus drive-through test site at this location is a logical extension of that plan and makes good public health sense. This activity poses no risk to the public at large or the property itself due to the nature of the operation."

Results from screening will not be immediately available as specimens need to be sent to a laboratory for testing. There may be up to a four-day period between testing and receiving your results.

For questions, please contact Murphy Medical Associates directly at (203)658-6051 or visit their
website at www.greenwichdocs.com.