ROCKY HILL - Connecticut towns will have to wait a little longer for their supply of COVID test kits �" currently sitting in a west coast warehouse amid shipping delays.

       Governor Lamont’s late Wednesday announcement �" first reported by NBC CT �" didn’t include a new ETA.

       “My staff and multiple state agencies have spent the past several days working around the clock to accelerate the movement of our tests through what is clearly a shipping and distribution bottleneck on the West Coast amid unprecedented international demand for tests,” the Governor wrote in his statement. “I want to thank our municipal and emergency management partners who have quickly and efficiently established their methods of distribution of the tests, clearly communicating them to their communities. My administration is in regular communication with city and town leaders, and we will provide updates as we have them in order to distribute the tests as quickly as possible.”

       State officials had announced the purchase of 3 million take-home test kits on December 27, prompting municipal leaders to begin coordinating Thursday and Friday distribution.

       The Lamont Administration plans to allocate 2 million of the iHealth kits to local governments, and 1 million to school districts across the state.

       Rocky Hill is expected to receive 2,160 kits in the state’s first round allocation, which will send 500,000 test kits to Connecticut communities.

       The delay has prompted Rocky Hill Emergency Management to cancel its December 30 and 31 distribution dates, according to an update from Town Manager John Mehr.

       “The State of Connecticut has not received its shipment of COVID-19 at-home rapid test kits from California, therefore, the test kit distribution by the State to the towns has not yet been determined,” Mehr wrote.

       The January 4, 5, and 6 dates remain on the schedule �" for now.

       The town will be giving out the kits �" with preference given to those with COVID symptoms or suspected exposure �" outside Town Hall on January 4 and 5.

       Distribution moves to the building’s second floor on January 6.

       The timeframe for all three dates is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

       Each kit contains two tests �" every recipient will be limited to two kits, according to Mehr’s Office.

       The Town is still working on distribution logistics for N95 masks included in the shipment, as well as test kits earmarked for the Rocky Hill school district, Mehr said.

       “Distribution of those kits, which will also include a supply of N95 masks, will begin in January and continue through the school year as supplies last,” he wrote on December 27. “Planning for this initiative is being conducted in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education. More details on the distribution of tests for schools will be announced in early January.”

       The delay comes as the state is wrestling with a record-setting COVID surge �" statewide infection rates climbed to 20 percent Thursday, as related hospitalizations surpassed 1500 people.