New Canaan COVID Update: Significant Increase in Positive Cases, Delta Variant is Dominant Locally

This evening, Thursday, December 23rd New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan provided the community a COVID-19 update reporting a significant increase in the number of reported positive COVID-19 cases this week with 208 versus 71 cases for all of last week.  "We now know from CT DPH that the Delta variant continues to be the dominant variant locally.  All of CT is experiencing the same sharp increase in positive cases," he said.

Please read Kevin Moynihan's complete update below including break-thru cases and vaccinations.

Governor Lamont reported yesterday that 75.4% of the 821 currently hospitalized in CT are not fully vaccinated.  We therefore strongly encourage those that are unvaccinated to get vaccinated and we continue to stress the importance that anyone experiencing COVID symptoms stay home from school or work, and avoid large gatherings. Mask wearing is encouraged when attending non-family gatherings indoors due to the increasing community transmission we are seeing.  The most common COVID 19 symptoms include: scratchy or sore throat, extreme fatigue, loss of sense of smell and taste, fever, vomiting, body aches, and headache.

To date, New Canaan has had 128 “break-through” cases out of 15,982 fully vaccinated residents for a 0.80% case rate. Break through cases generally have minor or mild symptoms. The majority of break through cases are presenting a runny nose or minor cold-like symptoms. We encourage residents who are symptomatic, regardless of vaccination status, to get tested, especially if you have traveled. There is limited free rapid COVID-19 testing available during regular business hours with our Health Department at Vine Cottage (77 Main Street) for symptomatic residents by appointment. (Please note all Town offices are closed Friday, December 24th in observance of the Christmas holiday.)  

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. A list of area COVID-19 test sites is also available on the town website [or by clicking here].

Due to large demand for boosters our Health Department is planning two larger booster vaccination clinics for Monday December 27th  and Wednesday December 29th 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 16 and over and it has been at least 6 months since second dose. The registration link for the Monday, December 27th booster clinic is here. This clinic is currently full but you may monitor the site for cancellations. The registration site for the Wednesday, December 29th booster clinic at Irwin Park here.

Additional booster clinics will 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 December 16th with the following data for New Canaan residents who have received at least one vaccination dose: ages 5-11 = 56.93%, ages 12-17= 100%, ages 18-24 = 100%, ages 25-44= 100%, ages 45-64= 94.19%, ages 65+ = 100%.  Per DPH data, overall 91.91% of New Canaan residents have received at least one dose and 78.99% of New Canaan residents are now fully vaccinated.  [It is important to note DPH data for vaccination rates uses a combination of 2014 and 2019 population data so we are aware for the categories at 100% that we still have some residents who have not received a first dose yet in those categories.]

A larger pediatric first & second-dose COVID 19 vaccination clinic for ages 5-11 will be on Tuesday, December 28th at Irwin Park-848 Weed Street, sign up here.

  A parent or guardian must be present with the child and the signed parent consent form & VAMS forms for first dose are required and attached to the SignUpGenius. Please bring the forms completed to the appointment. Additional pediatric vaccination clinics will be added in the coming weeks.

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.

Per CT Department of Public Health (DPH) and CT Department of Education (SDE) individuals identified as a close contact (within 6ft or 3ft for classrooms for a total of 15 minutes or more) of a positive case, do not have to quarantine if they are fully vaccinated and remain symptom free. This is a major incentive for vaccinating children to reduce the number of quarantined close contacts of positive cases as cases continue to rise.  This means fully vaccinated children will not have to miss in person learning in school, sports, and extra-curricular activities as long as they remain symptom free.  As a reminder, the definition for fully vaccinated requires the 14 days post completion of the two dose vaccine series in order to be considered fully vaccinated. With rising positive COVID 19 case rates in the 5-11 year old age group parents are encouraged to get their children vaccinated. Parents can refer to CDC website for literature regarding the COVID 19 vaccines or consult with their child’s pediatrician to make the best decision for their families.

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 28th and Thursday December 30th 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 28th, and Thursday, December 30th   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.

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.)

 

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Submitted by New Canaan, CT

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