UPDATED MON JANUARY 3, 2022
Greenwich COVID test kit distribution plan
GREENWICH, CT – Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo has announced plans for the first phase to distribute approximately 6,000 COVID test kits to residents.
The number of available kits is significantly less than the 16,020 tests the Town was originally scheduled to receive. Each kit – which will be distributed Tuesday, January 4 - contains only 1 test.
“While we understand the public’s desire to have test kits in hand in case of exposure, it is imperative that our very limited supply is distributed to those truly in need – residents who are experiencing symptoms and our senior population. It is my hope that residents will not attempt to stockpile the test kits in anticipation of exposure and allow those who need the tests to receive them,” First Selectman Fred Camillo explained.
The Town will distribute two (2) test kits per household as well as two (2) N-95 face masks per household, on Tuesday, January 4, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., until all supplies are distributed. Test kits and masks will be available on a first-come, first-served distribution at the following drive-through locations.
- The Greenwich Senior Center via the rear entrance on Bruce Place for Town residents who are at least 60 years old.
- Grass Island Park, Shore Road for Town residents.
All participants will be required to show proof of Town residency via your valid Connecticut driver’s license or your 2021 Greenwich parks pass. All drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times.
Mr. Camillo continues to encourage residents to receive the COVID vaccines and booster shots. As of December 30, the Town of Greenwich has confirmed 7,696 COVID cases and 100 deaths attributed to COVID, according to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. On Monday, January 3, Greenwich Hospital was treating 50 patients including three patients in the intensive care unit on ventilators.
Page 2: Greenwich COVID test kit distribution press release
Under recently revised guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control, if a self-test for COVID yields a positive result, that person should isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. There is no need to obtain a follow-up PCR test.
Greenwich’s current mask-wearing rules require that anyone entering any Town facility, including Town Hall and libraries, and all schools, to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status. Mr. Camillo encourages residents and visitors to wear masks when in businesses, offices, restaurants and other public buildings when social distancing is not possible.
UPDATED DECEMBER 30, 2021
GREENWICH, CT – The Town has been notified by the state Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection that the overnight flight that would have delivered 500,000 COVID test kits to Connecticut was delayed.
“Therefore, it is with great disappointment that we must cancel the distribution plans that we organized for Thursday, December 30,” said Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo. “It is my hope that the state will have these test kits in hand before requiring municipalities around the state to announce distribution plans.”
Mr. Camillo added, “I thank residents in advance for understanding that this is a situation beyond our local control. Residents should continue to check the Town website (www.greenwichct.gov) and local media for updates on when these test kits will be available.”
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ORIGINAL RELEASE DATED DECEMBER 29, 2021
This special edition of Community Connections has details on our plans for the first phase to distribute the 8,010 COVID test kits for residents.
These kits, which contain two (2) tests each, are part of 500,000 kits the state of Connecticut is distributing to all 169 cities and towns. With a Town population of 63,518 residents, it is imperative that there is prioritization for those most in need of tests – those who are experiencing symptoms and our senior population.
The Town is scheduled to receive the test kits on Thursday morning, December 30.
Distribution of two kits (4 tests total) per household is scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, December 30, from 12 noon to 4 p.m. at these drive-through locations, while supplies last. For this first-come, first-served distribution, all drivers and passengers must remain in their vehicles and wear a face mask at all times.
- The Greenwich Senior Center via the rear entrance on Bruce Place for Town residents who are at least 60 years old.
- Grass Island Park, Shore Road.
All participants will be required to show proof of residency via your valid Connecticut driver’s license or your 2021 Greenwich parks pass.
The Town expects to receive more information and guidance on the distribution of N-95 face masks from the State early next week.
I continue to encourage residents to receive the COVID vaccines and booster shots. As of Tuesday, December 28, the Town of Greenwich Health Department reports there are 445 active cases, an increase of 260 cases since December 21. Greenwich Hospital is treating 32 COVID patients on December 30.
With this surge in numbers, which we expect will continue through the New Year’s holiday and the return to school next week, I strongly urge everyone to get vaccinated and boosted. Those COVID patients who are vaccinated experience much milder symptoms than the unvaccinated patients. Unvaccinated patients account for about three-quarters of all hospitalized patients.”
Under recently revised guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control, if a self-test for COVID yields a positive result, that person should isolate for five days, if asymptomatic, followed by five days of wearing a mask when around others. There is no need to obtain a follow-up PCR test.
Greenwich’s current mask-wearing rules require that anyone entering any Town facility, including Town Hall and libraries, and all schools, to wear a mask, regardless of vaccination status.
Stay well and wishing you all of the best in the New Year,
Fred