HARTFORD, CT – The State Department of Public Health (DPH) is reminding residents to remain vigilant against COVID-19 as case rates have risen over the last two weeks.
Connecticut DPH has moved several Connecticut towns, including Old Lyme, that had been seeing falling or stable COVID-19 case rates back into Red Alert status, as the average daily case rate for COVID-19 has increased statewide to 25 cases/100,000 residents per day.
Over 90 percent of the Connecticut population, including the residents of Old Lyme, live in a town with an average daily case rate of over 15 cases per 100,000 residents (e.g. red alert towns). It is estimated that 40 percent of these new cases are the B.1.1.7 variant.
While case rates have decreased among persons age 70 and older, they have plateaued or increased among all other age groups. The age group with the highest case rates are 20– to 29-year-olds.
The county with the highest case rate is New Haven County at 31.8/100,000. The towns with the highest case rates are located in the Waterbury/Naugatuck Valley area; Waterbury has the second highest case rate in the state at 43.4/100,000.
For the latest town map and other COVID-19-related data, click here.
For the latest article on LymeLine.com, which reports the numbers for Lyme and Old Lyme in detail, visit this link.
COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased over the last week with 456 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19 as of today.
Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including those known to be more transmissible, are circulating in Connecticut and put people, who are not fully vaccinated, at increased risk of infection, serious illness, and death.
Continued vigilance and adherence to mitigation measures, including masks and social distancing, is key.
In addition, Connecticut residents considering travelling during the upcoming spring break season are urged to review CDC’s travel guidance, which continues to recommend against traveling at this time.
Connecticut DPH urges residents to get vaccinated if eligible or when you become eligible. The department also reminds residents that you are not fully vaccinated until 14 days after the entire vaccination regimen.
Editor’s Note: This report is based on a press release issued by CT DPH and distributed by Ledge Light Health Department.