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 Friday, Dec. 18, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m. Dec 17, shows the following:
Both Lyme and Old Lyme are once again in the state-identified ‘Red Zone;’ Old Lyme was ‘red’ for the past two weeks but Lyme had moved into the gray (lowest) zone. As of today’s report, only two towns in the state — Canaan and Warren — remain in the ‘Gray Zone.’ Barkhamsted is the single town in the state in the ‘Orange Zone.’
- 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 orange 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 between 10-14.
- 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 all three 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 126 confirmed COVID-19 cases and two probable cases, making a total of 128 cases.
This represents an increase of FOUR over the 122 confirmed cases reported Thursday, Dec. 17, and no change in the number (two) of probable cases reported the same day.
The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 3,563.
There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.
The Dec. 18 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 11/29 through 12/12, Old Lyme had 17 cases in Week 1 and 17 in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 17.
The case rate in Old Lyme for 100,000 population is 33, reflecting a significant increase from the previously reported two-week-rate of 18.4. 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 35 confirmed cases and three probable cases, making a total of 38 cases.
This represents an increase of ONE over the 34 confirmed cases reported Thursday, Dec. 17. The number of probable cases has also increased by ONE.
There have been no fatalities in Lyme.
The total number of Lyme residents tested is 839.
The Dec. 18 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from11/29 through 12/12, Lyme had six cases in Week 1 and five in Week 2. This data was updated Dec. 12.
The case rate in Lyme for 100,000 population is 33.6 reflecting a significant increase from the previously reported two-week-rate of 12.2. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’
These are troubling data, but I think that you also need to consider Old Lyme’s numbers in the context of the entire state, which has just reached 5,581 COVID-related deaths; over 2,600 new cases, and a 7 percent test positivity rate over the past week, its highest seven-day figure since May.
However, locally, over the past two weeks, Old Lyme’s test positivity rate was 4.8 percent; contrast this with South Dakota’s 47 percent rate. Of course, I’ve cited SD several times in the past; and their Governor’s support of their mask-less “cowboy culture”. So, masks do work!
Ledge Light Health District reported that their contact tracers have observed many COVID cases associated with family and social gatherings; so, as we progress through the end of the year and through the various holidays, we need to reconsider both the size of our gatherings, and any associated travel, both in- and out- of CT.
There’s also been some collateral damage associated with the pandemic’s increase in social stressors and isolation across CT. Opioid overdose deaths this year are projected to surpass the number that occurred in 2019; and, as of October, the state has seen a 13 percent increase in drug overdose deaths, versus the same period last year.
However, CT’s data reflect national trends. The CDC announced last week that about 81,000 Americans died from a drug overdose between June 2019 and May 2020, the highest number ever recorded in a 12-month period.
All the above notwithstanding, we did just get some good news. The FDA just authorized the Moderna vaccine for emergency use.