COVID-19, Community James Bairaktaris COVID-19, Community James Bairaktaris

Hartford Healthcare COVID-19 Test Site Closes after Months of Service to Thousands of Westporters

Effective tomorrow, one of Westport’s first and busiest COVID-19 testing sites will be officially closed, although yesterday marked the last day of appointments at Hartford Healthcare’s 47 Long Lots Road testing center. The drive-through system began in the Spring as numbers soared and a need for a permanent system was noticed in the community. The small driveway and view of the expansive front lawn became a place where thousand of Westporters spent some of the most nerve-wracking times during the Pandemic as they awaited the unknown: “do I have COVID, or not?”.

The staff at the site remained outdoors from 8-12 every day, some days experiencing hundreds of cars that waited nearly 3 hours for their turn. When rain or snow came, the Hartford Healthcare personnel continued their work standing in the elements - causing the healthcare company to install more permanent and protective options.

The closing of the center ends a chapter in Westport’s pandemic story - the memories of waiting in line for one’s test surely to be remembered as a poignant moment. With hope, the closing of this chapter signified a positive and healthy future for Westport as numbers continue to decrease, while vaccination rates increase.

Editor’s Note

Since the Spring I received nearly twenty proactive COVID-19 tests from the team at the Long Lots Road testing site in rain, sleet, extreme heat, and snow. They, and the members of the National Guard, were helpful, reassuring, and knowledgeable. I appreciate their service to our community - it was an invaluable part of our collective success. If you are one of those team members: Thank you.

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COVID-19, Education James Bairaktaris COVID-19, Education James Bairaktaris

Superintendent: 3 New COVID-19 Cases in 3 Schools 

Last Evening’s Press Release

Dear Westport Families and Staff,

In our efforts to remain transparent with reports of positive Covid-19 cases associated with our schools, we will continue to provide these updates as information is confirmed. As of the time I am writing to you this evening we have 3 newly confirmed cases of COVID-19. The reports came from the following schools:

  • Saugatuck Elementary School - 1

  • Bedford Middle School - 1

  • Staples High School - 1

Those impacted have been notified by school and District officials. As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19 cases of students using our reporting voicemail or email regardless of whether the students are in remote or hybrid models of instruction. Please follow this link for more information on reporting.

Additionally, we want to remind families that students with pending Covid-19 tests should not return to school until receiving negative results. This approach is critical in helping us continue minimizing the potential for transmission in our schools.

Respectfully,

Thomas Scarice

Superintendent of Schools

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