This evening, Thursday, October 14th First Selectman Kevin Moynihan provided a coronavirus update reporting that there are 12 reported COVID-19 positive cases so far this week for residents currently living in New Canaan, up from 8 positive cases last week.
The 12 cases are mostly mild cases, although there is one known hospitalization of a resident. The cases are due to family transmission, exposure at large events and travel, and for two cases the source is not yet determined.
The cases range in age from 25-75 years old. For updated information on the weekly cases, by age brackets, visit the red COVID-19 alert box on the town website at www.newcanaan.info.
View Moynihan's complete update below.
Our New Canaan Health Department is planning once again on providing local COVID-19 vaccination clinics to make vaccinations conveniently accessible locally to all eligible residents who are in need of a 3rd Pfizer booster dose. The next vaccination clinic will be next Thursday, October 21st at Irwin House in Irwin Park located at 848 Weed Street. The Sign-Up Genius registration link is: here.
Please remember to bring your COVID-19 vaccination cards (or print out from VAMS or CT WIZ) as proof of previous vaccinations and for the Health Department to add your 3rd dose. Any resident in need of assistance with registering for the Pfizer vaccination clinic may call the Health Department at 203-594-3037.
The FDA advisory panel will be meeting today and Friday to discuss Moderna and J&J potential booster doses for general population. We will update information regarding approvals when it becomes available. At this time, Moderna 3rd doses are only approved for those moderately or severely immune compromised.
Note: Residents aged 12 and over who are still in need of a first or second dose of Pfizer are also welcome to participate in the vaccination clinic at Irwin House. Please use the SignUpGenius link above to register.
COVID-19 TESTING
Next week, we will continue with twice-weekly community COVID-19 testing in partnership with Waveny LifeCare Network for residents who have traveled or otherwise wish to be tested. PCR COVID-19 testing will be available (for New Canaan residents and Town employees only) next Tuesday and Thursday, October 19th and 21st from 7:00 a.m.to 10 a.m. at a new location in Irwin House located in Irwin Park at 848 Weed Street. Pre-registration is required and you must bring your insurance card, a credit card and a photo ID to your test appointment. (Your insurance may pay the $100 SEMA4 lab fee, but if not your credit card will be charged.) No walk-ins are permitted.
Turnaround time for PCR test results is 24-48 hours and results will be received via email in the SEMA4 portal, for which you will receive instructions on how to access at your test appointment.
To register for COVID 19 testing for next Tuesday, October 19th or Thursday, October 21st, please click on the following SignUpGenius link here.
You must complete a separate registration for each individual to be tested. As a reminder, SEMA4 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.
Our Health Department also has a limited amount of Abott BinaxNOW rapid antigen tests available for New Canaan residents only seeking quick results. Contact the Health Department at 203-594-3020 to schedule a rapid test at their office at Vine Cottage. We encourage New Canaan residents with any symptoms of fever, congestion, sore throat, loss of sense of smell or taste, or a cough to reach out to the Health department for a free rapid COVID-19 test. Test results take 15 minutes.
For additional testing locations in the area you can call 2-1-1, contact your primary care provider or visit the town website or click here for list of COVID-19 testing sites in our area.
VACCINATION UPDATE
The New Canaan Health Department continues to provide vaccinations by appointment for those residents aged 12 and over who are still in need of either a first or second dose. The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are currently available.
To schedule a vaccination appointment with the New Canaan Health Department please call 203-594-3020 or email Shannon.vallerie@newcanaanct.gov. The Health Department office is located in Vine Cottage, 77 Main Street, next to Town Hall.
Guidelines from CT Department of Public Health ( CT DPH) regarding booster vaccine 3rd doses for the general public are the same as the CDC’s. CDC recommends the following and it only pertains to the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine:
- People aged 65 years and older and residents in long-term care settings should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series,
- People aged 50–64 years with underlying medical conditions should receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series,
- People aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks, and
- People aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least 6 months after their Pfizer primary series, based on their individual benefits and risks.
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.)