250 Test Kits Available on Monday

250 Covid-19 rapid test kits will be distributed to the public at 5:00 pm on Monday, January 3, at Weston Middle School.

The number is a fraction of what Town officials had expected to be able to hand out last week, an expectation unmet when the State was apparently outbid for 1.5 million kits from a supplier that simply declined to fill a contractual order.

Over the weekend, State officials were able to obtain several hundred thousand kits from another supplier, which were distributed to cities and towns. Weston’s share was divided into limited amounts for emergency responders, the school district, and the public.

At press time, we do not know which brand of kits are being distributed. We do not know how many tests are in a kit.

We also do not know if or when more kits are coming from the state. Last week, officials said two-thirds of the total order — one million kits — would be provided to school districts in early January. Since the order collapsed, there has been no further word on whether that will come to pass.

The federal government plans to distribute half a billion rapid test kits for people to use at home, for free. How and when they will be distributed is not yet clear.

On Monday …

Only one test kit per household will be provided on Monday, on a first-come-first-served basis.

Due to the limited supply, Town and Emergency Management officials ask that you only request a kit if you are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms or have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive.

Enter School Road from Weston Road. The Lords Highway entrance to School Road will be closed. School is back in session on Monday, so the access drive to Weston Middle School will be closed until 4:45. Emergency Management says early-arriving vehicles will be turned away.

You will need to remain in your vehicle, wear a mask when interacting with staff, and provide proof that you are a Weston resident.

Other sources

Test kits can be found, somewhat sporadically, at pharmacies and retailers, but often sell out quickly.

Some online services, such as WellBefore will notify you when kits become available. Reviews we have heard of WellBefore are favorable. We are told the service offers the FDA-certified Flowflex test, has not raised prices above retail levels, and also offers N95 and KN95 masks.

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