NEW LONDON – Updated 10:47am:We received an email from Ledge Light Health District Director of Health Stephen Mansfield REHS, MPH at 10:44 a.m. this morning that states the following (the italics are ours):
“As you are aware, the Centers for Disease Control has now placed New London County in the “High Transmission” category of COVID-19. Ledge Light Health District concurs with the Connecticut Department of Public Health recommendation that all Connecticut residents over age two wear masks when in indoor public locations, regardless of vaccination status.
Further, we recommend that LLHD municipalities require masks for both staff and the general public in all municipal buildings, unless a 6 foot separation distance can be assured. It is our position that as leaders in our communities, it is important to set an example that others will follow.
LLHD will continue to advocate for a statewide approach to any mandatory mitigation measures; as cases continue to increase in our communities, it is important that these measures are applied fairly, equitably and consistently throughout Connecticut.”
Original article published Aug. 11 at 7:17am: The Centers for Disease Control has now placed New London County, which includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, in the “High Transmission” category of COVID-19. New London is the third county in the state to be upgraded to the High Transmission category.
Late last week, New Haven and Hartford counties were listed as High Transmission—the other five Connecticut counties are still classified by the CDC as being in the “Substantial Transmission” category.
The High Transmission category—which is the most severe as defined by the CDC—is 100 or more cases per 100,000 people or a positivity rate of 10 percent or higher over the past seven days.
The Substantial Transmission category is 50 to 100 cases per 100,000 or a positivity rate between 8 and 10 percent over the past seven days.
With the ongoing rapid increase in cases of COVID-19 in the state over the last 14 days due to the spread of the Delta variant, the Connecticut Department of Public Health strongly recommends that ALL CONNECTICUT residents over age two years, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, return to wearing masks when in indoor public spaces.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at high risk for complications from COVID-19, including those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, asthma, other lung diseases, pregnancy, or obesity, should also avoid large indoor gatherings that may include a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Vaccination remains the most important defense against illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. So-called “vaccine breakthrough” cases have occurred in Connecticut, but they remain rare, and the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths in Connecticut and around the country are in unvaccinated individuals. DPH strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to help stop the ongoing spread of the Delta variant.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by Ledge Light Health Department Aug. 10, at 10:04 p.m.