Vernon expands COVID testing options

Jan. 18—Residents from Vernon and surrounding towns will now have access to COVID-19 testing four days a week, as part of a partnership between the town and the state Department of Public Health.

Officials announced Tuesday that the expanded testing will be held at the the Vernon Parks and Recreation building on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. The tests will be available at no out-of-pocket cost to anyone, and walk-ins are welcome.

Vernon Town Administrator Michael Purcaro said because of the surge in cases related to the Omicron variant, there is a demand for more testing. Most recently the town was operating testing sites two days a week, seeing about 100 to 150 people a day.

Since the surge in cases that have pushed positivity rates to over 20%, the number of people looking for tests climbed to 300 or more, and the town doesn't want to turn anyone away, Purcaro said.

For breaking news and happenings in North Central Connecticut, follow Matthew Knox on Twitter: @MatthewPKnoxJI, and Facebook: Matthew P. Knox JI.

___

(c)2022 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.

Visit Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn. at www.journalinquirer.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.