Distribution Of COVID-19 Test Kits Postponed In Somers, Ellington

SOMERS-ELLINGTON, CT — A delay in the shipping of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests from the West Coast has caused town officials in Somers and Ellington to postpone the planned Thursday distribution of the tests indefinitely.

Late Wednesday, Gov. Ned Lamont released the following statement:

"Due to shipping and warehouse delays outside of the State of Connecticut's control, our state's anticipated shipment of COVID-19 at-home rapid tests are currently delayed from arriving in Connecticut. My staff and multiple state agencies have spent the past several days working around the clock to accelerate the movement of our tests through what is clearly a shipping and distribution bottleneck on the West Coast amid unprecedented international demand for tests. I want to thank our municipal and emergency management partners who have quickly and efficiently established their methods of distribution of the tests, clearly communicating them to their communities. My administration is in regular communication with city and town leaders, and we will provide updates as we have them in order to distribute the tests as quickly as possible. I thank our staff and leadership at the Department of Administrative Services, the Department of Public Health, the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, and the Connecticut National Guard for their incredible work to execute on this test delivery."

Somers officials posted on social media late Wednesday:

"The distribution of COVID test kits for all local municipalities has been delayed until further notice. Formal notification of arrival to be determined tomorrow December 30th. Please monitor both the Town of Somers Facebook and Website for updated information."

In Ellington, residents were informed Thursday morning:

"We have received notice from State officials that the COVID-19 home test kits did not arrive in Connecticut as planned and would not be arriving in time for any distribution to occur on Thursday (today). As a result, today’s distribution of the home test kits is cancelled. We await further information from the State and will inform residents about updated distribution plans as soon as possible."