Stamford COVID-19 Test Distribution Scheduled For Jan. 8

STAMFORD, CT — The city of Stamford has received another allocation of at-home COVID-19 tests from the state, and will hold a second distribution event for residents on Saturday, Jan. 8, beginning at 12 p.m.

Mayor Caroline Simmons announced Friday that the city received 6,500 test kits, which is equal to 13,000 tests. Stamford held its first distribution event on Jan. 2 when 20,000 tests were handed out.

Priority on Saturday will once again be for high-risk and socially vulnerable residents, and where high rates of COVID-19 have been contracted; to people enrolled in the homebound program; for the senior population 65-years-old and older; for residents that are symptomatic or that have a known exposure to someone who tested positive.

There will be three distribution sites in Stamford on Saturday. Proof of residency is needed at all sites:

1. Walk-up site at Bethel AME Church (150 Fairfield Ave.): Distribution will occur in front of the Church on Fairfield Avenue. Residents should line up extending North on Fairfield Avenue towards Richmond Hill Avenue.
2. Drive-through/walk-up site at Cummings Park (Shippan Avenue): The entry point for the Cummings Park location is Shippan Avenue Northbound only.
3. Drive-through/walk-up site at Rippowam Middle School (381 High Ridge Road): The entry point for the Rippowam Middle School location is High Ridge Road, Northbound right-hand lane, enter from the Southernmost driveway.

Due to limited supplies, each household will be given one test kit, which has two tests. The city is asking people with unused tests to refrain from attending Saturday's event.

"COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are extremely high. Testing and vaccines are the most important part of the strategy to reduce the spread of this virus. The distribution of these test kits to our residents assist us in combating this public health emergency,” Simmons said in a news release Friday. "I encourage residents who were unable to receive at-home tests last weekend to visit one of these three sites on Saturday. I continue to encourage residents to get their vaccination and boosters so we can reduce the spread of the COVID-19."

Acting Health Director Jody Bishop-Pullan stressed that people should only attend if they don't have tests at home already. She pointed to Stamford's newest PCR testing site as another resource.

"Residents can make an appointment at our new South End location by visiting the city of Stamford website or to find one of the other testing locations," she said.

Stamford noted that the Connecticut Department of Public Health is in the process of adding more community testing sites to its current roster of 23 state-sponsored sites. Information on the approximately 400 COVID-19 testing sites currently operating in Connecticut is available by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211CT.org.