NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Now there is a way for Connecticut residents to get results to a coronavirus test in just 30 minutes, free of charge.
CVS Health and Connecticut officials opened the state’s first rapid coronavirus testing site at the former Gateway Community College campus at Long Wharf in New Haven Friday morning.
CVS says the new test, called Abbott ID, can conduct at least 750 tests per day, seven days per week.
“Literally in the last seven days we’ve been able to turn this site – this abandoned community college into a COVID-19 site,” Alisa Ulrey, the Division VP of New England for CVS, said.
It took an around-the-clock effort, help from soldiers and police to open the massive operation.
“This was an abandoned building, an abandoned parking lot last Friday – you couldn’t imagine anything functioning here. And now to have it up and functioning this fast is a credit to the state agencies that were able to jump up and get this done,” Brian Foley from the State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection said.
People who need to take a rapid test must register online and schedule a time slot prior to arriving at the test site. Tests can be scheduled for the same day or up to two days in advance. To register, visit the CVS website.
Ulrey said, “Getting that point in care testing, getting patients within 30 minutes to be able to get their test results is just remarkable.”
New Haven Mayor Justin Elicker says residents without a vehicle can dial 211 and the state will provide a taxi to the testing site free of charge. The New Haven Health Department will also help residents who do not have internet access to register for a test over the phone.
Testing officially started Friday, April 17 at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of 60 Sargent Drive in New Haven. Rapid testing for coronavirus will not be available at any CVS location.
There are also CVS rapid testing sites set up in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Georgia.
