LYME/OLD LYME — Yesterday, Connecticut recorded its highest weekly positivity rate since the spring. Lyme and Old Lyme’s case numbers reflect this situation with both towns showing their single highest daily increase in cases since the pandemic began.
In light of the serious rise in Coronavirus cases, we have started a new weekday 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 Monday reports include data for the weekend as well as the previous Friday.
The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m., Jan. 10, 2021 shows the following:
Both Lyme and Old Lyme are still in the state-identified ‘Red Zone;’ where they have been for the past several weeks.
As of today’s report (see map above), five towns in the state — Canaan, Colebrook, Kent, Union and Warren — remain in the ‘Gray 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 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 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 181 confirmed COVID-19 cases and THREE probable cases, making a TOTAL of 184 cases.
This represents an INCREASE of 11 in the number of confirmed cases reported Friday, Jan. 8, and NO CHANGE in the number of probable cases reported the same day.
The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 3,998.
There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.
CT DPH Two-Weekly Report
The Jan. 8 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 12/20 through 01/02/21, Old Lyme had 11 cases in Week 1 and 19 in Week 2. This data was updated Jan.7, 2021.
The case rate in Old Lyme for 100,000 population is 29.1, reflecting an increase from the previously reported two-week rate of 21.3. 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 57 confirmed cases and five probable cases, making a total of 62 cases.
This represents an INCREASE of NINE in the number of confirmed cases and NO CHANGE in the number of probable cases from the numbers reported Friday, Jan. 8.
There have been no fatalities in Lyme.
The total number of Lyme residents tested is 1,040.
CT DPH Two-Weekly Report
The Jan. 8 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 12/20 through 01/02/21, Lyme had one case in Week 1 and 11 in Week 2. This data was updated Jan. 7, 2021.
The case rate in Lyme for 100,000 population is 36.7 reflecting a increase from the previously reported two-week-rate of 18.3. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’
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The next CT DPH Daily Data Report for Connecticut will be issued Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2021.
I have to say, being given depressing/dangerous stats about COVID in the town where you live is very frustrating – – when you have no clue about what is causing the increases or where. In a town with 4,000 people, it surely would help to have general statements about the source of the increases. Is Big Y looking to hire for 3 weeks because everyone gets sick there? Is the Post Office safe? How is the school/s doing? Is the virus just floating in the air near the shops?
A little more bad news first! Yesterday, CT’s single-day COVID-19 positivity rate hit 10.7 percent, which was the first time since May, that we exceeded 10 percent. Possibly a sign that the outbreak in CT might be worsening again, perhaps related to holiday travel and family gatherings; and a new, more contagious strain of the virus.
However, there is some good news: A subcommittee of Governor Lamont’s Vaccine Advisory Group just recommended the inclusion of people over age 65 and those with certain preexisting medical conditions to Phase 1b, expanding the focus of “1b”, and better aligning CT with CDC recommendations. The Governor and the larger Advisory Group must still approve this change.
Some really good news: Health and Human Services has expanded the allocation of vaccine doses to CT; and our state should receive tens of thousands more doses than originally planned. HHS Secretary Alex Azar told the Governor that CT’s vaccine rollout was a model for the rest of the nation.
All that said, whenever you’re in public places, wear a mask, observe physical distancing protocols, but avoid densely packed crowds, especially indoors.
Finally, review the three-part vaccine primer published in Lymeline for some background on both CT’s phased approach to vaccine distribution, and how we got ready to distribute the vaccines.