Greenwich Announces COVID-19 Test Kit Distribution Plan

GREENWICH, CT — The Town of Greenwich has announced plans for the first phase to distribute 8,010 COVID-19 test kits to residents. Each kit contains two tests.

With a population of 63,518 residents, the town said priority is "imperative" in this first phase for those who are experiencing symptoms and the senior population. The distribution is part of a larger campaign around the state in which 500,000 kits will be given to all 169 municipalities.

However, according to Gov. Ned Lamont, shipping delays could impact distribution plans.

According to Capt. Mark Zuccerella of the Greenwich Police Department, the town won't know if the state received its shipment of test kits from the West Coast until 5 a.m. Thursday. If the shipment comes in, Zuccerella said plans will go on as scheduled.

Read more about shipping delays

Distribution of two kits (four tests total) per household is scheduled for Thursday afternoon from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. at two drive-through locations, while supplies last.

For this first come, first-served distribution, all drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times.

The pick-up locations are:

• The Greenwich Senior Center via the rear entrance on Bruce Place for town residents who are at least 60 years old.
• Grass Island Park, Shore Road.

All participants will be required to show proof of residency via a valid Connecticut driver’s license or a 2021 Greenwich parks pass.

The town expects to receive more information and guidance on the distribution of N-95 face masks from the state early next week.

The test kits are arriving amid a spike in COVID-19 cases both locally and around the country, thanks in part to the omicron variant. As of Tuesday, the Town of Greenwich Health Department said there are 445 active COVID-19 cases, an increase of 260 cases since Dec. 21. Greenwich Hospital is treating 32 patients in-house.

First Selectman Fred Camillo is encouraging residents to get vaccinated if they haven't done so already.

"With this surge in numbers, which we expect will continue through the New Year’s holiday and the return to school next week, I strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. Those COVID patients who are vaccinated experience much milder symptoms than the unvaccinated patients," Camillo said in a news release. "Unvaccinated patients account for about three-quarters of all hospitalized patients."

The town noted the under recently revised guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control, if a self-test for COVID-19 yields a positive result, that person should isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. There is no need to obtain a follow-up PCR test.