Coronavirus New Canaan: 50 People Tested At Drive-Thru Site

NEW CANAAN, CT — The first 50 people were screened for the new coronavirus (COVID-19) on Friday at New Canaan's drive-thru testing site, Emergency Management Director Mike Handler announced.

"The process went smoothly, and we appreciate everyone's cooperation," Handler said in a statement on the town's website. "We are working on increasing the frequency of our drive-thru testing and will be communicating any adjustments this weekend."

New Canaan is one of several Fairfield County communities to establish a drive-thru test collection site, as testing for COVID-19 continues to ramp up in the state and throughout the country.

Two residents have died from complications from the virus this week, and Handler urged people to continue social distancing efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

"Everyone should continue to thoroughly wash their hands, maintain 6-feet social distancing and avoid all group gatherings," Handler said. "Please continue to support our local restaurants through curbside pickup and delivery."

Below is Handler's announcement:

Good Evening,

It is 7:00 pm on March 20th and this is Emergency Management Director Mike Handler with an
important update on the novel coronavirus. Please avoid group gatherings in our parks and
fields. We very much want to provide for their access, but we cannot allow organized baseball
games to continue. We are so thankful that thus far our children have not experienced
significant illness as a result, but they are in fact vectors of this virus. There group activity will
negatively impact our seniors and medically fragile. Everyone should continue to thoroughly
wash their hands, maintain 6-feet social distancing and avoid all group gatherings. Please
continue to support our local restaurants through curbside pickup and delivery.

Today was New Canaan’s first day of drive-thru testing. We were able to effectively test 50
residents. The process went smoothly, and we appreciate everyone’s cooperation. We are
working on increasing the frequency of our drive-thru testing and will be communicating any
adjustments this weekend. As a reminder, testing is by appointment only. Appointments and
required prescriptions can be obtained by filling out the three forms at www.coronatestct.com.
Additionally, testing is available by appointment only at both Norwalk Hospital and Stamford
Hospital. To obtain an appointment at either of these sites, you will need a prescription from
your personal physician.

Please continue to look out for your neighbors from a distance and know that we are doing
everything possible to keep you all safe.

Thank You,
Mike Handler