Site Will Offer Dedicated Tests for Up To 100 First Responders Daily

ENFIELD — Chief Edward Richards reports that Connecticut residents now have  access to the state’s first rapid COVID-19 testing site, and that firefighters in Enfield Fire District 1 and other first responders throughout the state will have special access during select hours. 

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut has formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that will make free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. This includes the opening of the state’s first rapid testing site at the former Gateway Community College campus, 60 Sargent Drive, New Haven.

Using the new Abbott ID NOW COVID-19 test, CVS Health is planning to conduct up to 750 tests per day, seven days a week. All patients seeking to be tested will be required to pre-register in advance online. Registration can be done by clicking here.

Anyone experiencing certain COVID-19 related symptoms and risk factors as defined by CDC guidelines, as well as those who meet certain requirements including state residency and age guidelines (patients must be 18 years or older), are eligible. All patients must register online and schedule a time slot prior to arriving at the test site.

Anyone who does not have an appointment will not be tested.

Tests can be scheduled for the same day or up to two days in advance.

When patients arrive, they are required to remain in their vehicles. Team members will check their registration and direct them through the testing process. The process takes approximately 30 minutes from the collection of the swab to the delivery of the results, and is offered free of charge.

As part of the initiative, there will be a dedicated lane each day for testing 100 first responders, from noon to 4 p.m. Testing days will be rotated by the department’s geographic region.

“We are grateful for this partnership bringing this COVID-19 rapid testing site to our state,” Chief Richards said. “This is an unprecedented time for all of us, and we still encourage everyone to practice proper social distancing and avoid going outside unless necessary in order to slow the spread of the disease. But it is also important that a site like this exists for those who are sick and in need of a test.”

“While a vaccine does not yet exist for this virus, one of the ways we can mitigate its impact is through increasing our testing capacity,” Gov. Lamont said. “Not only will this new testing site significantly increase the number of people being tested, but the speed at which we can get results will aid in our effort to prevent further spread of this disease.”

Launching of the rapid testing site has been a joint initiative of the following organizations:

  • CVS Health
  • Office of Governor Lamont
  • Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
  • Connecticut State Police
  • Connecticut National Guard
  • Connecticut Department of Administrative Services
  • Connecticut Department of Public Health
  • Connecticut State Colleges and Universities
  • City of New Haven
  • Jordan’s Furniture

 

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