Additional At-Home COVID Test-Kit Distribution

January 7, 2022
Over the past week Derby, Orange and Woodbridge distributed at-home rapid COVID-19 Test-Kits. I would like to thank the CERT teams, emergency personnel, law enforcement, and volunteers who got those very needed test kits directly to members of our communities. While supplies limited the number of families who were able to collect these kits throughout the district, the City of Derby just announced they have a limited supply of kits and masks they will distribute Sunday, January 9. Please find this message from them below. I will be sure to share any information I receive about any additional test kit distributions and the anticipated mask distribution.

COVID Home Test-Kits and N95 Masks are back in stock. We have 450 test kits and several thousand adult sized masks. We are once again asking only residents experiencing symptoms to pick up test kits.

We will be having another distribution event at Derby High School Sunday, January 9th from 10 AM - 12PM.

Kits will be limited to 2 test kits and 4 masks per address with proof of residency required.

If you have any questions please email:

dlenart@derbyct.gov
 
COVID Tests Distributed to Schools
On Tuesday, Governor Lamont announced the distribution of 670,000 COVID-19 Test-Kits for K-12 Schools and Early Childcare Providers. I spoke with the State Department of Education (SDE) who said the number of kits sent to districts correlated with student and staff populations. SDE also said this allocation is the first phase of distribution of self-tests for schools and early childcare providers, and they anticipate additional allocations to be announced in the coming days as the state continues securing more tests from vendors.

If you do look at the chart provided in the release above, *please note*, there were two types of kits delivered: iHealth - which have 2 tests per kit, and FlowFlex - which have 1 test per kit.

I want to extend a special thank you to members of the National Guard who helped sort and distribute the 670,000 testing kits safely for school districts across the state.

 
CT COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Connecticut is currently experiencing one of the worst spikes of COVID cases since the start of the pandemic. The daily positivity rate and number of residents hospitalized continues to rise. 
The statistics show that your best protection against serious illness, hospitalization, and death is getting fully vaccinated and getting your booster when eligible.

As of January 6, nearly 68% of the patients who are currently hospitalized with COVID are not fully vaccinated. Please practice all of the mitigating factors including wearing your mask properly - covering nose and mouth, and stay distanced as much as possible. 

We need to keep our hospital levels safe - not just for COVID patients but for anyone else who may need treatment for anything. Please show your care for our healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, and your community in general by being safe and smart.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Center for Disease Control (CDC) have approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 booster for children ages 12 - 15. The agencies also authorized a third shot for children aged 5 - 11 years who are immunocompromised.

You can find vaccine and vaccine booster appointments by clicking the buttons below:

Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster for Kids
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Derby
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Orange
Find a COVID Vaccine or Booster: Woodbridge
 
School Attendance Guidelines
The State Department of Education (SDE) recently reiterated its position that remote learning can only be an option for schools in rare circumstances.

Over the past week, many of you have reached out to me to share your concerns and opinions on this matter, and I thank you for that. As your legislator and the parent of three school-aged children I share many of those concerns.
 
For weeks I have been in conversations with the SDE, my leadership team, and advocates for educators and staff about remote learning. While everyone acknowledges that in-person learning is the most beneficial for the overwhelming majority of students, our current situation brings new concerns and considerations.

I will continue to pass your feedback to the Governor’s office so that they have a better understanding of what educators and families are facing and feeling so that all points of view are represented when decisions are made.
 
While these ongoing discussions continue, schools will follow the guidelines shared below. It is vital the we continue our efforts to protect ourselves and the community by wearing masks properly (KN95 style if possible), distancing as much as possible, and staying home if you have COVID-related symptoms.

According to the SDE, remote learning can only be an option for for schools in rare circumstances for students who:
  • Must be in isolation due to close contact with a confirmed case
  • Have live-in family members who have documented an unusual vulnerability to COVID-19
  • Have a Planning and Placement Team that revised an Individualized Education Program based on a determination that instruction in the home provides a free appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment
  • Attend a school district that has been affected by a legislative or gubernatorial emergency decision that requires school or district closures
 
Essential Workers Impacted by COVID
The Connecticut Essential Workers COVID-19 Assistance Fund is now up and running. It was authorized by the legislature in June to ease the financial burden on essential workers who became ill and were unable to work, or died, between March 10, 2020 and July 20, 2021.

The program assists with:

  • Lost Wages – Unpaid leave and lost wages if an employee was unable to work after contracting COVID-19, or due to symptoms later diagnosed as COVID-19.
  • Out-of-Pocket Medical Expenses – For medical services related to contracting COVID-19 that were not covered by insurance.
  • Burial Expenses – Burial/funeral expenses of $3,000 for an eligible essential worker who died from COVID-19.

Families can also apply for any combination of the three benefits on behalf of a qualified essential worker who died after contracting COVID-19. The program can distribute up to $34 million on a first-come, first-served basis through June 30, 2024, or until the fund is depleted.

Fill out an application by clicking the image below: