BROOKLYN — The Northeast District Department of Health (NDDH), in collaboration with  the State of Connecticut, Sema4, Quinebaug Valley Community College (QVCC), and the  towns of Putnam and Killingly announce the expansion of COVID-19 testing services in northeastern Connecticut.
A current site at QVCC, 742 Upper Maple St. in Danielson, will now operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays beginning Feb. 6 and from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays starting Feb. 3.
A new site will also open Feb. 3 at the  Putnam Riverview Market Pavilion on Kennedy Drive in Putnam. Testing services will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, with the exception of Tuesdays and  the first Thursday of each month, when the site will operate from 1 to 4 p.m.
 “We are grateful for the many state, regional, and local partners who have worked together to make this happen in a relatively short amount of time,” said Linda Colangelo, NDDH  Education and Communications coordinator.
“The expanded hours and additional site will offer added convenience to those seeking a COVID-19 test. Both locations also offer a priority workforce lane that provides priority access for childcare and early childhood staff,  teachers, and first responders — those who need to get tested quickly, to ensure their workday  is not interrupted.”
Priority workforce includes teachers, school staff and bus drivers, early childhood/child care, police officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, National Guard and dispatchers.
Both locations offer drive thru or walk-up service at no cost with no appointment required. All ages are eligible for testing, though minors must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who can provide consent. Individuals qualify for testing whether they are showing symptoms or not.
“As someone who recently survived a very serious case of COVID-19, I know first-hand how important it is for people to get tested,” said Putnam Mayor Barney Seney. “Getting tested for COVID-19 and knowing what to do if you test positive can save lives. It can protect your health and the health of many others. The Putnam site was established to serve people from throughout the northeast corner, so I hope people will take advantage of this important  service.”
The expansion supplements other testing services in the area offered by Generations Family Health Center, Day Kimball Healthcare, and other providers. Discussions are also currently underway to bring testing services to the town of Plainfield.
PCR testing in both locations is conducted by Sema4, a patient-centered health intelligence company based in Stamford. Collection samples are processed in their state-of-the-art laboratories and results are typically returned in two to three days.
For more information on Sema4 test sites and other testing locations, and to download a  Sema4 fact sheet and Test Form that can be completed prior to arrival for a test, visit:  https://www.nddh.org/services/emergency-preparedness/coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19/.

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