New Canaan reports uptick in COVID cases

We have 27 reported COVID-19 positive cases so far this week for residents currently living in New Canaan, up from 21 cases for all of last week. 

New Canaan and CT are beginning to experience an uptick in cases. This week has been our highest reported number of positive cases since the Delta variant peak in late August. The cases are due to family transmission, exposure at crowded events, private parties, and travel.  The cases are across every age range.   

It is very important that any resident experiencing symptoms stay home from school or work and get tested.  The most common COVID 19 symptoms include: loss of sense of smell & taste, fever, sore throat, body aches, and headache.  

To date, New Canaan has had 69 “break-through” cases out of 14,813 fully vaccinated residents for a 0.47% case rate.  Break through cases are still considered rare but are possible. We encourage residents who are symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, to get tested, especially if you have traveled.  Free rapid COVID 19 testing is available daily with our Health Department for symptomatic New Canaan residents.  

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. 

Our Health Department is continuing to provide local COVID-19 booster vaccination clinics to make vaccinations conveniently accessible to all eligible residents who are in need of a 3^rd Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. Due to a short holiday week next week our Health Department will host a mini booster vaccination clinic on Monday, November 22^nd  at Vine Cottage (yellow house) next to Town Hall at 77 Main Street.  Please indicate in the comments portion of the SignUpGenius which vaccine you are requesting.  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 3^rd dose. 

The Health Department is also planning a larger booster vaccination clinic for Thursday, December 9^th at Irwin House in Irwin Park located at 848 Weed Street.  Please indicate in comments your vaccination type(Moderna, Pfizer, or J&J) and please bring the attached one page form completed along with your white vaccination cards to your booster appointment. The registration link for the December 9^th booster clinic is here. 

VACCINATION UPDATE

Our Health Department continues to provide vaccinations by appointment in their office for those residents aged 5 and over who are still in need of a first dose.  The only FDA EUA approved vaccine for children aged 5-11 is the Pfizer pediatric formula.  To schedule a pediatric vaccination appointment with the New Canaan Health Department for Wednesday, November 24^th please use this SignUpGenius link here.  The Health Department office is located in Vine Cottage (yellow house) next to Town Hall. 

 As a reminder, both formulations of Pfizer are a two dose vaccine taken at least 21 days apart for ages 5 & over.  Pfizer is the only FDA EUA approved vaccine for those aged 5-17 years old.

Guidelines from CT Department of Public Health ( CT DPH) regarding booster vaccine 3^rd doses for the general public have changed as of today. State DPH recommends the following:  

For individuals who received an mRNA vaccine (Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna):

For individuals who received a Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the following groups are eligible for a booster shot at 6 months or more after their initial series 2^nd dose completion: 

• Anyone 18 years and older but must be 6 months since second dose

For individuals who received a J&J vaccine:

For individuals who received a J&J vaccine, booster shots are recommended for those who are 18 and older and who were vaccinated two or more months ago. This means that all individuals who received a J&J vaccine should receive a booster. The Health department now has new supply of J&J vaccine for those wishing to get J&J as their booster or 1^st dose.  

Area pharmacies and Stamford Hospital are also providing booster vaccinations so please check with their individual websites for vaccination scheduling.

COVID-19 TESTING

Next week, we will continue with weekly community COVID-19 testing in partnership with Waveny LifeCare Network for residents who have traveled or otherwise wish to be tested.  Due to Thanksgiving holiday next week, PCR COVID-19 testing will be available (for New Canaan residents and Town employees only) only on Tuesday November 23^rd  from 7:00 a.m. to 10 a.m. at Irwin House 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, November 23^RD  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 next to Town Hall . 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.

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.)