Health & Fitness

Stamford High COVID-19 Test Site Moving To Cove Island Park

The move will allow for more open space and easier accessibility. Traffic snarled the surrounding area near Stamford High School on Monday.

The new location will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 23, according to an announcement from the City of Stamford Twitter account.
The new location will be open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. through Dec. 23, according to an announcement from the City of Stamford Twitter account. (Kristin Borden/Patch)

STAMFORD, CT — In an effort to increase accessibility and allow for more space, the COVID-19 testing site that has been at the Stamford High School Hillandale Parking Lot will be moved to Cove Island Park near Terry Conners Rink.

The City of Stamford Twitter account said the new location will be up and running Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. As of 9:30 a.m., Ted Jankowski, director of public safety, health and welfare for Stamford, was working to confirm a start date.

On Monday around 5 p.m., people were turned away from the site, although tests were still administered to people who were already on line, Jankowski said. People trying to get in were asked to try later, or come back Tuesday.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Traffic to get into the testing area, coupled with exiting traffic from the regular school day, created confusion and long lines before the location even opened up at 3 p.m. Cars eventually spilled out onto Strawberry Hill Avenue, creating a hazardous situation for pedestrians and other motorists.

Jankowski said the Stamford Police Department needed to regain control of the area. They announced a closure of the site shortly before 5 p.m., and asked motorists to avoid the area.

Find out what's happening in Stamfordfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

COVID-19 testing sites around the country have been overwhelmed in recent days because of the recent omicron variant surge, and the upcoming holidays.

"I think it's a combination of everything coming into the holidays. I think it's very smart of people to go get tested before they gather with relatives," Jankowski said.

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