Westport To Receive More COVID Test Kits For At-Risk Residents

WESTPORT, CT — Westport will receive more at-home coronavirus test kits, which will be distributed to at-risk residents, and another COVID-19 testing site will be set up in town as the state continues to grapple with the Omicron variant of the virus.

In a statement Thursday afternoon, First Selectwoman Jennifer Tooker said the town was informed by the state this week that it will receive another allotment of free in-home test kits.

This allotment of 1,800 kits, with two tests per kit, will be designated for residents "whose health, economic and living circumstances place them in a vulnerable situation," according to Tooker.

"These people include the home-bound, frail/elderly, individuals with disabilities, and those with financial or transportation barriers to accessing COVID-19 testing," Tooker said in a statement.

The department of human services is working closely with the town's emergency management team to ensure the test kits are appropriately distributed, Tooker said. Residents with extenuating circumstances, as outlined above, can contact the town's human services via phone (203-341-1050) or email (humansrv@westportct.gov).

Westport's Center for Senior Activities participants may contact WCSA at 203-341-5099 to request an at-home kit as supplies last, Tooker said.

A New Testing Site

Tooker also announced Thursday the town has arranged for Progressive Diagnostics to set up an additional Polymerase Chain Reaction testing site at the Greens Farms Railroad Station, located on Post Office Lane.

An appointment scheduler can be accessed via the "book an appointment" link on Progressive Diagnostics' homepage. Payment and insurance details are also provided in the link, Tooker said.

"We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated, including a booster," Tooker said. "This is still the best protection against the virus. Additionally, people now know how to best protect themselves in public by limiting interaction with crowds, choosing to wear masks indoors and keeping distance from others. Again, thank you to the entire Westport community for displaying such resilience."