This evening, Thursday, February 10th New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan provided a coronavirus update reporting that this week, we’ve had 46 reported positive COVID-19 cases, down from 56 cases for all of last week, which is another decrease in positive cases.
Moynihan said, "After tonight, and after two years of this pandemic reporting, we will be transitioning away from weekly reporting via voice outcalls to seniors over age 75. Information about vaccination clinics and COVID-19 community testing will continue to be sent on Thursday evenings but only by email. All COVID-19 case data will continue to be updated by the Health Department and the charts for positive cases will continue to be posted on the town website. For a breakdown of positive cases by age and week please go to the town website www.newcanaan.info and click on the red COVID box for chart links."
New Canaan Health Department continues to offer additional booster vaccinations and has scheduled a clinic for Thursday, February 17th at Irwin House in Irwin Park (848 Weed Street). When registering, please indicate in the comments portion of SignUpGenius your vaccination type(Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J) and please bring the required one-page form completed along with your white vaccination cards to your booster appointment. Boosters are available to anyone aged 12 and over and it has been at least 5 months since second dose for those aged 12-17 and over. Those aged 12-15 are required to have a parent present in addition to the required forms. The registration link for the Thursday, February 17th vaccination clinic at Irwin Park is here.
Please read Moynihan's complete message below:
As CT awaits the legislature’s decision on whether to extend certain of the Governor’s executive orders and on mask mandates in certain settings we remind residents that other mitigation strategies such as vaccinations and boosters and weekly COVID-19 PCR and rapid testing will still be available in New Canaan for those in need. Regardless of the legislature’s decision on mask mandates, residents who are vulnerable and/or have underlying health problems may wish to continue to wear masks in the future as you feel appropriate.
We thank all the residents who volunteered their time to grocery shop, pick up prescriptions for or deliver masks to seniors, worked the various community testing sites, helped out at vaccination clinics, and did other tasks that we asked for residents to help with during the course of this pandemic. The community response to help during the most stressful time of our lives for many of us has been appreciated and we sincerely thank everyone who assisted along the way.
We continue to encourage everyone to get their booster doses especially if you are vulnerable and/or have underlying health problems that can lead to more serious outcomes. Currently, New Canaan has a booster rate of 74.52% for ages 65 and over and overall 50.32% of New Canaan residents have received a booster or additional 3rd dose. CDC and CT DPH encourage everyone to “stay up to date” with their COVID-19 vaccinations, so if you are aged 12 and over and it has been at least 5 months since your second dose we urge you get your booster or additional 3rd dose.
Our Health Department is once again partnering with School District to offer a booster clinic at New Canaan High School next Tuesday, February 15th from 2-6pm at the Auxiliary gym. The clinic is open to all teachers, staff, and students aged 12 and over who are in need of booster doses. First and second doses for ages 12 and over also are welcome to participate. Please use the following SignUpGenius registration link and BRING YOUR VACCINATION CARDS - click here
As a reminder, our Health Department continues to provide home bound vaccinations for those who need a booster dose at home due to medical, physical or other restrictions. Please call the Health Department at 203-594-3020 to schedule a home bound vaccination.
VACCINATION UPDATE
A pediatric first and second dose COVID-19 vaccination clinic for ages 5-11 will be held on Wednesday, February 16th at Vine Cottage at 77 Main Street. The registration link for the pediatric clinic is here.
Additional pediatric vaccination clinics will be added in the coming weeks. Parents are encouraged to speak with their pediatricians to make the appropriate decision for their families.
As a reminder, both formulations of Pfizer are a two dose vaccine taken at least 21 days apart for ages 5 and over. Pfizer is the only FDA EUA approved vaccine for those aged 5-17 years old.
COVID-19 TESTING
Next week, we will continue a new weekly community PCR COVID-19 testing partnership with Progressive Diagnostics for residents who have traveled or otherwise wish to be tested. The Progressive Diagnostics PCR COVID-19 testing (for New Canaan residents only) will be on Monday, February 14th, Wednesday, February 16th and Friday, February 18th from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Irwin House in Irwin Park (848 Weed Street). Pre-registration is required and you must bring your insurance card, and a photo ID to your test appointment. Your insurance will be billed a $100 lab fee by Progressive Diagnostics. No walk-ins are permitted. Turnaround time for PCR test results is the same day as testing with a maximum of up to 24 hours and will be received via email in the lab portal, for which you will receive instructions on how to access at your test appointment.
To register for PCR COVID-19 testing for next Monday, February 14th, Wednesday, February 16th and Friday, February 18th please click on the following SignUpGenius link here.
You must complete a separate registration for each individual to be tested. As a reminder, the lab requires a separate email and registration for each individual being tested so if your child does not have an email address we suggest creating a free Gmail or similar free email account for your child’s registration.
For additional testing locations in the area you can call 2-1-1, contact your primary care provider or visit the town website.
There is limited free rapid COVID-19 antigen testing available during regular business hours with our Health Department at Vine Cottage (77 Main Street) for symptomatic New Canaan residents by appointment. Please note these are not individual at home test kits; they are commercial rapid test kits that are required to be reported to CT DPH. Please call the Health Department during regular business hours Monday through Friday to schedule a rapid test at 203-594-3037.
CT WIZ PUBLIC PORTAL FOR VACCINATION RECORDS
Residents who have been vaccinated will now be able to access their immunization records online through the secure CT WiZ Public Portal, a free service provided by the state of CT DPH Immunization Program. [A press release can be found here.]
Vaccinated adults and legal guardians can access official immunization records for themselves and children under the age of 18 using the CT WiZ Public Portal with ‘two-factor authentication’ to verify identity.
(Note: You won’t find the record if the contact information does not match what the vaccine provider reported to CT WIZ. If you are unable to locate your record in the portal, you can contact the DPH Immunization Program for assistance online at helpdesk or calling 860-509-7929 during business hours Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.)
Stay safe, New Canaan.