COVID Update as of 1/2/22

Good evening Brookfield residents,

I am writing tonight to provide an update following the state’s test kit distribution. A quick history…the state decided at the 11th hour that they would send small amounts of COVID test kits to each municipality across the state since they failed to deliver earlier this week. Details of the distribution from the Governor’s office were vague at best, leaving municipalities to jump through hoops and to fill in the gaps of how to get the kits out. 

The state’s instruction said:  “The purpose of this distribution is to provide tests kits to be used this week to reduce the spread of the Omicron virus and to supplement existing testing. Towns can set up their distribution plan as will work best for that town. Primary focus is on the members of the public who have interacted or intend to interact with numbers of people whose COVID status is unknown. But if, for example, your town is having an outbreak in a first responder corps, such as a particular firehouse, you can certainly provide some to that firehouse. Remember that many medical facilities are being provided tests through other channels. You do not have to report back to DPH on how or to whom the tests were distributed.”

Our great team of emergency management professionals and I met many times throughout the holidays to discuss options on how to distribute. In an effort to get these kits out to the intended recipients as quickly as possible we decided to schedule our pick up of the limited allocated supply sent for today (Sunday) at noon. The line of cars began forming at 8:30 and by 10:50 we began distribution early, knowing that there were already not enough test kits for everyone in line and to discourage others from showing up and wasting their time waiting in a long queue as well as for safety along Pocono Road. 384 cars went through the line (760 kits were distributed). Everyone was asked if they needed one or two for their households (only 8 cars took one box). 250 kits were held for school staff as the state’s school distribution did not come through. Another 250 were held for Volunteer Fire Department, Police, Public Works and our vaccine clinic volunteers. If and when the state’s school distribution should come through, we will get those 250 back to go to the community. As of today we have no information of any additional free test kit distribution. Should that change I will let you know.

The Governor’s plan to allocate such a small amount of test kits (4.4% of our town population) was flawed from the start and I apologize to anyone who felt frustration, as we all do, over the state’s effort. I applaud the Brookfield emergency management officials who spent their holidays and this entire week and weekend trying to get these important items distributed. It was by no means perfect, but many grateful residents now have them thanks to the tireless efforts of Brookfield’s emergency management team. 

Kind regards,
Tara Carr