In May of 2020, the Lamont administration asked the Office of the State Comptroller to engage in contracts for COVID-19 testing to monitor the virus in frontline state workers, ensure laboratories could hire staff and expand capacity, and stand-up emergency clinics in communities to contain localized outbreaks.
"At the onset of the pandemic, there was virtually no testing capacity in our state. I'm grateful for the collaboration between these providers and labs and my office. Under immense pressure, and without precedent, those efforts helped save lives and position Connecticut as a leader in fighting back against the virus."
- Comptroller Kevin Lembo
The vendors that contracted with the Office of the State Comptroller for COVID-19 testing include:
The largest population tested under the contracts were high risk residents and those in underserved communities, followed by frontline state employees including corrections officers, and staff at the state's social service hospitals and group homes.
The total amount paid under the contracts is currently $130 million, with some final invoices expected to be received in the coming weeks. The comptroller's office has already secured two rounds of reimbursement from FEMA to cover the costs of testing and anticipates several additional grants in the future that will make the state whole.