As the rate of COVID-19 infections surges in Connecticut, propelled primarily by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday announced plans to start distributing three million at-home rapid tests and six million N95 masks starting later this week.

On Monday, state public health officials reported a statewide positivity average of 10.71 percent as of last Thursday, the latest figure available. That’s an increase from 8.93 percent a day earlier, according to state data.

There are 925 people hospitalized the latest data show, up from 821 the day before.

Westport has also seen a sharp increase in local transmission of the virus — 30.6 per 100,000 people, nearly double the figure of 16.5/100,000 on Dec. 10 when state public health officials moved the town into the “red zone,” or its classification for communities with the highest rate of transmission.

The state’s test and mask distribution is designed to blunt the higher rate of COVID transmission expected to be charted as a result of holiday gatherings and travel.

“Connecticut is currently experiencing another surge in COVID-19 cases that is being driven mostly by the highly transmissible Omicron variant,” Lamont said in announcing the program. 

“As a result, the demand for tests has outpaced the supply of testing available through our statewide network of about 400 sites.”

Distribution of the first 500,000 “iHealth” testing kits — each with two tests — for the general public is scheduled to begin this Thursday and is expected to run through the following week, according to the announcement.

The initiative also will include distribution of N95 masks.

On Monday, however, state officials stressed that details of the distribution were still being completed and are subject to change.

The state has purchased another one million testing kits –- each also containing two tests — for distribution to schools statewide. Those kits, which will include N95 masks, will be sent to schools beginning in January and continue through the academic year as supplies last.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has granted emergency use authorization for the iHealth COVID-19 antigen rapid test, which involves an anterior nasal swab and not the deep nasal test. Results are generally available in about 15 minutes.

Total cost of the three million tests is approximately $18.5 million, according to the governor, and will be funded through federal funds.

The stateDepartment of Public Health plans to add seven more community testing sites to its roster of 23 state-sponsored sites. 

Information about the approximately 400 COVID-19 testing sites operating around the state is available by calling 2-1-1 or visiting 211CT.org.