Staying Safe in the New Year

December 29, 2021

 

I have received more information on how the masks and at home tests allocated to our district will be distributed. 

As we try to navigate this latest surge, please understand these situations are fluids. Local and state officials are doing the best they can on a tight timeframe. In the meantime, I encourage you to be patient - I promise to share updates as soon as I get them.

Kits in Ellington and East Windsor will be distributed on a first come, first served basis.  Each kit contains two tests and detailed instructions for use. You can also watch a how-to video for these at-home tests with this link:  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAzos3k6aCY

Ellington 

At home test kits will be made available to Ellington residents via a drive-through system beginning at 11:30 am on Thursday, December 30, 2021 at the Ellington Senior Center, located at 40 Maple Street.

Test kits will be limited to four (4) per household. Proof of Ellington residency in the form of a photo ID or utility bill may be required at time of pick-up. Click the image below for more information. 

East Windsor

Test kits on Thursday from 3  pm - 7 pm at Town Hall, located at 11 Rye St, Broad Brook, CT. Visit the Town of East Windsor website for additional updates. 

 
Getting Vaccinated and Boosted 

Although these kits are an important tool that will help us curb COVID cases in the state, it is important to remember that getting vaccinated and boosted is still the best way to prevent the spread.

The vaccine does not necessarily prevent individuals from contracting the virus. However, it does ensure that if you are exposed, the symptoms will be much milder. As of Monday, December 27, 79.1% of the patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated.

If you are struggling to get a vaccine appointment, visit the CT Vaccine portal. The portal provides several different methods of scheduling your vaccine appointment. You can search for a clinic and narrow your parameters by using your zip code and your preferred vaccine manufacturer (Pzifzer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson).   

 

Testing 

Connecticut's searchable database of COVID-19 testing sites can be found here. Because of the uptick in cases, finding an appointment may be difficult. If you have been exposed or have symptoms and want to get tested as soon as possible, there are pop up sites. The Hartford Courant complied a list of sites around the state, which can be found here. A testing site in Willimantic has also adjusted their hours to allow for more testing. Although many of these sites are far out of district, you do not need an appointment to be tested. 

East Windsor town officials are currently working with Dr. Rampal and Priority Urgent Care of Ellington to provide PCR testing on Jan 5th from 9 am-12:30 pm at the Town Hall Annex. I will provide further updates when additional information becomes available.  

Additional Resources 

This Twitter thread by ER Doctor Craig Spencer MD MPH outlines the benefits of being vaccinated and getting a booster shot. 

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shared a helpful video that outlines the best ways to protect yourself from the Omicron variant. 

UConn Extension has been explaining the vaccine development process week by week. Visit their Facebook page for more information.