LYME/OLD LYME — In light of the serious rise in Coronavirus cases, we have started a new daily update reporting confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Lyme and Old Lyme. The state is now issuing a COVID-19 metric report daily around 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, which includes current data up to the previous evening.
The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued Monday, Dec. 14, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m. Dec. 13, shows the following:
Old Lyme remains in the state-identified ‘Red Zone,’ but Lyme is still gray joining only five other towns in the state at that lower level.
The red category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town exceeds 15.
The gray category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town is less than five or less than five reported cases.
In both cases, this rate does not include cases or tests among residents of nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities.
Old Lyme
Old Lyme now has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 115 confirmed COVID-19 cases and three probable cases, making a total of 118 cases.
This represents an increase of six over the 109 confirmed cases reported Friday, Dec. 11 and an increase of TWO over the single probable case reported the same day.
The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 3,471.
There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.
The Dec. 10 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 11/22 through 12/05, Old Lyme had eight cases in Week 1 and 11 in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 10.
The case rate in Old Lyme for 100,000 population is 18.4, reflecting a decrease from the previously reported two-week-rate of 19.4. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’
Lyme
Lyme has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 27 confirmed cases and two probable cases, making a total of 29 cases.
This represents an increase of TWO in the number of confirmed cases over those reported Friday, Dec. 11. The number of probable cases remains at two.
There have been no fatalities in Lyme.
The total number of Lyme residents tested is 811.
The Dec. 10 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from11/22 through 12/05, Lyme had one case in Week 1 and three in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 10.
The case rate in Lyme for 100,000 population is 12.2 reflecting a decrease from the previously reported two-week-rate of 24.4. A case rate of less than five cases per 100,000 population or less than five cases reported places a town in the state’s ‘Gray Zone.’
Ledge Light Health Department Weekly Report
Ledge Light Health Department (LLHD) issued their most recent Weekly COVID-19 Report yesterday morning, Friday, Dec. 11.
Stephen Mansfield, LLHD Director of Health, prefaces the report with this statement, “Our contact tracers continue to report that they have observed many COVID cases associated with family and social gatherings, as well as a significant increase in cases associated with long term care and assisted living facilities. We encourage everyone to remain diligent and take appropriate precautions throughout this holiday season.”
The report shows that in the past two weeks, Old Lyme had 19 new confirmed cases and Lyme less than five.
It also details that 779 Old Lyme residents had molecular tests and antigen tests in the past two weeks while the equivalent number for Lyme residents was 232.
The report offers this link to the Connecticut COVID Data Portal, which provides centralized access to data on the COVID-19 emergency and response.
The next Weekly Report from LLHD is due Friday, Dec. 18.
Neither the LLHD nor the Connecticut Department of Health (CT DPH) reports give any details of the age of those infected, their gender, or the date the case was confirmed.
The COVID-19 metric report is issued by the state once per day, every Monday through Friday. The report that is issued each Monday contains combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The state will issue its next report Tuesday, Dec. 15.
I am uncertain that Lyme residents are more compliant with the behaviors promulgated by public health experts than are Old Lyme residents, but, that said, CT did just begin its vaccination program; and Moderna’s vaccine will probably also receive emergency use authorization this week.
CT has just begun the first phase of vaccine distribution, health care workers and residents and staff of long-term care facilities. Based on what is now known, progression to wide distribution is not anticipated to begin in CT until late April or May, depending on supply. The goal is to have everyone in CT “who wants a dose” to be vaccinated by early fall of 2021.
So, until you have your sleeve rolled up to receive your second vaccine injection (note that both Pfizer and Moderna require two doses), each of us needs to continue to observe those behaviors (mentioned above) that our medical and public health experts have stressed for nearly a year. Let me remind you: wear a mask, wash your hands frequently, disinfect common surfaces, avoid crowds, especially indoors, and keep a safe space between yourself and other people who are not from your own household. Otherwise, Americans will continue to die.