This evening, Thursday, December 2nd New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan provided the community with a coronavirus update. Please read below.
Weekly COVID Report
We have 25 reported COVID-19 positive cases so far this week. We had 28 positive cases for all of last week. The most common COVID 19 symptoms include: loss of sense of smell and taste, fever, sore throat, body aches, and headache. It is very important that any resident experiencing symptoms stay home from school or work, avoid gatherings and get tested. A list of area COVID-19 test sites is available on the town website or by clicking here.
To date, New Canaan has had 77 “break-through” cases out of 14,853 fully vaccinated residents for a 0.52% 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 during regular business hours 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 monitoring CT DPH and CDC guidance regarding the new omicron variant and as information becomes available we will keep you updated. As of today, there are no reported cases of the new omicron variant in CT
Our Health Department is also continuing to provide local COVID-19 booster vaccination clinics to make vaccinations conveniently accessible to all eligible residents who are in need of a 3rd Pfizer or Moderna booster dose.
Due to the high demand for boosters next week, our Health Department will host two mini booster vaccination clinics on Monday, December 6th and Tuesday, December 7th 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 for Monday, Dec 6th is here. The Sign Up Genius registration link for Tuesday, December 7th adult booster clinic 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. Also, please bring the completed form in the SignUpGenius link to your booster vaccination appointment.
Our Health Department is also planning a larger booster vaccination clinic for Thursday, December 9th 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 9th booster clinic here.
This clinic is currently full but residents can monitor the sign up for cancellations. Additional booster clinics will be continue to be added in the upcoming weeks.
Area pharmacies and Stamford Hospital are also providing booster vaccinations so please check with their individual websites for vaccination scheduling.
VACCINATION UPDATE
CT DPH released updated vaccination data as of November 24th with the following data for New Canaan residents who have received at least one vaccination dose: ages 5-11 = 42.99%, ages 12-17= 99.5%, ages 18-24 = 100%, ages 25-44= 100%, ages 45-64= 91.53%, ages 65+ = 100%. *It is important to note DPH data for vaccination rates uses a combination of 2014 and 2019 population data so it is possible for the categories at 100% to still have some residents who have not received a first dose yet.
A limited number of first dose pediatric vaccination appointments are available for Monday, December 13th in the Health department office located in Vine Cottage-77 Main St-yellow house next to Town Hall from 3-6pm. A parent or guardian must be present with the child. The only FDA EUA approved vaccine for children aged 5-11 is the Pfizer pediatric formula. Please complete the parent consent form & VAMS form and bring completed with your child to their appointment. Please use this SignUpGenius link for those needing a first pediatric dose (ages 5-11 only) AND complete the registration with the child’s information here.
Guidelines from CT Department of Public Health ( CT DPH) regarding booster vaccine 3rd doses for the general public 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 2nd dose completion:
- Anyone 18 years and older but must be 6 months since second dose-boosters are NOT APPROVED for anyone under age 18
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 1st dose.
COVID-19 TESTING
Next week, we will resume 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 only) on Tuesday December 7th and Thursday December 9th 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, December 7th and Thursday, December 9th please click on the following SignUpGenius link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/NCHDTESTINGDEC7THDEC9TH.
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.)