Newtown's first drive-through coronavirus testing center coordinated by PhysicianOne Urgent Care in Plaza South saw a steady stream of vehicles queuing up Thursday, May 14, so occupants could learn whether they are free from, or possibly carrying the novel coronavirus.

Melanie White, area operations manager for PhysicianOne Urgent Care, was on hand helping coordinate the local project as she has at a number of the 15 other company centers in the region. She was joined by Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert and First Selectman Dan Rosenthal who observed proceedings on site for approximately half an hour shortly after testing commenced at 9 am.

"It's actually been a fairly seamless process so far getting tests out there for the public both here in Newtown, as well as all our other testing sites," White said. "This is site number seven or eight, and we're testing about 200 patients per day. We started out testing first responders and essential workers, but now we're pushing testing out for members of the general public."

White said a number of clinicians have been working developing and rolling out new protocols to provide optimum service for patients, whether from internal discussions or because of state or federal mandates.

"PhysicianOne is also doing antibody testing at all of our locations. Since day one of antibody testing we've really hit it hard to make sure responders and essential employees have the antibodies in the event they've been exposed to a COVID-positive individual," she added.

White said her company has also begun onsite patient evaluations where drive-up patients will be interviewed, after which they will undergo a brief intake procedure and progress immediately to the testing tent. To learn more about PhysicanOne COVID testing, CLICK HERE or visit P1UC.com.

In neighboring Bethel, CVS has opened a drive-through test site at 7 Durant Avenue. These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and mark the next phase of the company’s nationwide COVID-19 testing strategy, announced April 27 at the White House.

CVS Health expects to have up to 1,000 locations across the country offering this service by the end of May, with the goal of processing up to 1.5 million tests per month, subject to availability of supplies and lab capacity.

Self-swab tests will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines. Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 15, to schedule an appointment.

Patients will be required to stay in their cars and directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions; a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self swab process to ensure it is done properly. Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days.

Testing will not take place inside any retail locations, and CVS Pharmacy, HealthHUB, and MinuteClinic will continue to serve customers and patients. Governor Ned Lamont is applauding the announcement that the company is opening 12 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in Connecticut.

“Increasing the amount of testing that’s being done and expanding the accessibility of that testing to all communities is a critical component of our efforts to keep Connecticut safe and healthy,” Governor Ned Lamont said. Currently Bethel is the only central western Connecticut location for this program with other sites available in Stratford and Cheshire.

Latest Data & AG Intervention

Newtown's situation adjusted slightly Thursday as the state removed one previous COVID-19 positive case from its database bringing that case count from 150 to 149. Culbert believes this is because a former positive resident had since died.

The community also saw no further reported deaths May 14, and is currently holding at 18.

As of May 13 at 8:30 pm, a total of 35,464 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents with 1,103 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. And to date, there have been 3,219 COVID-19-associated deaths statewide.

Fairfield County continues to lead the state in positive cases, with a tally of 13,836 as of Thursday and 1,093 deaths. There were 55 fewer patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 between May 13 and 14 statewide, but the overnight number of deaths increased by 94.

State Attorney General William Tong issued a release Thursday regarding escalating concerns being expressed by residents who have had to cancel or postpone wedding plans.

As Connecticut enters its peak wedding season, Tong is urging vendors to work with couples forced to cancel and postpone their weddings due to COVID-19. The Office of the Attorney General has received multiple complaints from couples recently who have been denied refunds, quoted high fees, and given limited flexibility in attempting to reschedule weddings planned for this spring and summer.

"Every contract is different, and some make it very difficult to change plans and obtain refunds — even during a global pandemic. But that doesn’t mean that venues and vendors can’t be reasonable and flexible. I get that this crisis is causing major financial pain for these businesses, but we all have an obligation to work collaboratively to reach a compromise,” said the Attorney General.

Anyone needing assistance from the Office of the Attorney General obtaining a refund or other relief due to COVID-19 may file a complaint with the office by CLICKING HERE.

On Thursday, Governor Lamont announced he is directing US and state flags in Connecticut to remain lowered at half-staff in recognition of Friday's Peace Officers Memorial Day. Flags are also currently at half-staff in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19.

Peace Officers Memorial Day is a national observance paying tribute to local, state, and federal law enforcement officials who have died in the line of duty. It is recognized annually during National Police Week.

Anyone in crisis or facing issues making ends meet or experiencing stress or anxiety can also call the 211 infoline or consult its companion website 211ct.org.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ, other guidance and resources, and a way to ask questions, Newtown residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

The Newtown Bee is continuing to provide and mirror information and messages coming from local and state agencies on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Newtown residents can get more details by visiting Newtown’s own COVID-19 web page, at newtown-ct.gov.

Residents can also review all prior COVID-19 updates and follow the newspaper’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for breaking local news and advisories.

Please check in regularly, share, and follow the newspaper’s hyperlocal coverage at newtownbee.com through the remainder of this public health emergency.