Hartford To Begin Distribution Of At-Home Covid-19 Test Kits Tomorrow

Published on December 29, 2021

HARTFORD, CONN. (December 29, 2021) – Today, the City of Hartford announced that it will begin distributing COVID-19 at-home test kits to Hartford residents at seven locations across the City tomorrow, Thursday, December 30th.  Approximately 8,000 testing kits will be available citywide, with tests available at seven locations.  Locations include the Downtown Hartford Public Library, the Camp Field Library Branch, and the Albany Avenue Library, as well as the Parker Memorial Center, the Metzner Center, the Arroyo Center, and the Albany & Woodland testing location. 

"It is important to distribute these kits quickly to those who need them, and it's important to ensure that they're distributed in an equitable and accessible way," said Mayor Luke Bronin. "That's why we're working with our libraries, community rec centers, and neighborhood testing locations to get these kits out at accessible locations throughout the city." 

While the City has not yet received its allocation of at-home tests from the State, the City recently purchased 10,000 test kits.  The City's purchase was intended to help ensure continuity of city operations by making rapid tests available to city employees, as well as to priority service providers, such as homeless shelters, early learning centers, senior centers, and others in coming weeks.  Because the city will soon receive an additional 15,000 test kits from the State, the City will move forward with plans for public distribution tomorrow using the test kits already in its possession.  

"I want to thank Governor Lamont and Commissioner Juthani for their leadership in purchasing tests for public distribution, and I want to thank our city team as well as our Library partners for their work to put testing kits into our residents' hands as soon as possible," added Mayor Bronin.  "We ask that residents only seek to get a test if they have reason to believe that they may have been exposed or are in contact with someone who is particularly vulnerable.  We also ask residents to keep in mind that, for those who can afford to buy tests, at-home tests may be available at local pharmacies, and we encourage you to try to purchase tests so that we can save these free tests for those who need help most.  Finally, while masks and tests are important tools, please remember that the most important thing you can do to stay protected is to get vaccinated and get boosted." 

“This is great news for the residents of Hartford,” said Council President Maly Rosado. “With the rise of the omicron variant, demand for testing has skyrocketed. These at-home kits are easy to use and will break down barriers to testing, helping give our residents peace of mind. Thank you to our Health and Human Services Department as well as our Fire Department for securing and distributing these testing kits.”

"With the Omicron variant of the COVID virus so prevalent these days, I am glad that we're able to get these tests out to our community quickly and into the hands of Hartford residents," said Councilman Nick Lebron, Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee.

"Hartford Public Library is a trusted city institution," said Marie Jarry, Director of Public Services for the Hartford Public Library. "A number of our locations have served as vaccination sites for our city's residents and we are happy to now provide access to these vital test kits."

Hartford residents will be eligible to receive one kit per adult upon showing proof of residence (state or municipal ID, piece of mail less than 60 days old with any other ID with name and picture). Each kit contains two tests.  Locations and timing of tomorrow's testing kit distribution sites are listed below: 

  • Hartford Public Library, Downtown Branch (500 Main St, Hartford): 10 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Hartford Public Library, Camp Field Branch (30 Campfield Ave, Hartford): 10 AM - 5:30 PM
  • Hartford Public Library, Albany Avenue Branch (1250 Albany Ave, Hartford): 10 AM - 5:30 PM
  • CVS Arroyo Center testing clinic (30 Pope Park Dr, Hartford): 10 AM - 1 PM
  • Albany and Woodland testing clinic (1161 Albany Ave, Hartford): 2 PM - 6 PM
  • Parker Memorial Center (2621 Main Street, Hartford): 10 AM - 4 PM
  • Metzner Center (680 Franklin Ave, Hartford): 10 AM - 4 PM

Please note that distribution at each location will only continue while supplies last.

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