500 New Haven Schools' Staff Out Monday, 50 Bus Drivers: Mayor

NEW HAVEN, CT — Mayor Justin Elicker said the goal is to get test kits to all essential workers, including educators, as 500 school staff, more than 50 bus drivers, and 18 percent of city police, firefighters, and essential city workers also were out.

"We have to keep those people working," said New Haven Director of Emergency Operations Rick Fontana.

Test kits are going first to those workers, and vulnerable populations, as well as public and private schools. Kits were also given to Alders to share with vulnerable populations in their respective wards.

Begun Sunday, the limited number of tests were made available for those workers only if "they are symptomatic or have a known COVID exposure," a Sunday statement from Elicker's office read.

New Haven got a shipment of about 9,000 tests — there are two tests in one kit.

"This initial distribution will be used to get tests into the hands of community groups servicing vulnerable residents – such as the elderly and those experiencing homelessness," Elicker said.

And, it's expected that tests will go to New Haven Public Schools for families with school children who are symptomatic or have a known COVID exposure.

The city expects to receive additional tests from the state, but when is not clear.