Gov.
Ned Lamont announced plans Monday to distribute 3 million COVID-19 at-home
rapid tests and 6 million N95 masks to Connecticut residents to help stop the
spread of the Omicron variant.
Lamont
says 500,000 iHealth kits, which contain
two tests each, are being designated for the public. Distribution of these kits
and the N95 masks will begin on Dec. 30.
Another
1 million kits and supply of masks will be distributed to K-12 schools
statewide and continue throughout the school year as supplies last. More
details on the distribution of tests for schools will be announced in early
January.
The
total cost of the 3 million tests is approximately $18.5 million and is being
funded through federal funds.
“Connecticut
is currently experiencing another surge in COVID-19 cases that is being driven
mostly by the highly transmissible Omicron variant,” said Gov. Lamont in
prepared remarks. “As a result, the demand for tests has outpaced the supply of
testing available through our statewide network of about 400 sites. The week
between Christmas and New Year’s Day is likely to be a period of high
transmission, and we have to get 2022 off to a good start by helping residents
identify COVID-19 quickly and take those steps to isolate appropriately to curb
any further spread.”
Read
more about the governor’s plan here: