LYME-OLD LYME — The Town of Lyme posted the following notice on the Town’s website and Facebook page yesterday, Nov. 18:
Town Loses Resident to COVID
The Town of Lyme is deeply saddened to report that our community has experienced the first COVID-related death of a Town resident. In the many months since the pandemic began, while our Town has experienced more than 130 cases of COVID, we had not lost a single soul – until now. We would like to express our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased. Our hearts go out to you.
We urge all residents to continue to exercise caution where COVID is concerned – to get vaccinated and to get their booster shot whenever eligible. The winter may well result in an increase in cases again as we spend more time indoors and observe holiday celebrations. At some point, we pray that the pandemic will end. Until then, please take care of yourselves, your families, friends and neighbors. Today is a sad day in Lyme.
We wish to add our own sincere condolences to the family of the deceased.
Although the state has not included the fatality in their data announced Nov. 18 or 19, The Day reported Nov. 17, in an article by Claire Bessette and Sten Spinella that “Veteran police Lt. Josip Peperni, age 57, of Lyme passed away late Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at Middlesex Hospital … due to complications related to COVID-19.”
The Day also notes, “[Peperni] was not vaccinated against the coronavirus, according to Norwich City Manager John Salomone.”
The Daily Data Report issued Friday, Nov. 19, at 4 p.m. by the Connecticut Department of Health(CT DPH) shows three new, confirmed COVID-19 case in Old Lyme taking that town’s total of cumulative cases to 462.
This means the cumulative total of confirmed cases has now increased by 19 since last Wednesday, Nov. 10.
In an email sent Thursday, Nov. 18, regarding the latest COVID-19 data, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Director of Health Steven Mansfield states, “The number of new COVID cases within our jurisdiction has increased significantly, which is consistent with an increase in COVID cases statewide, according to DPH. Unfortunately, we expect this trend to continue as we move into the holiday season.”
He continued, “LLHD continues to focus our vaccination efforts on the homebound population and providing boosters to individuals who were vaccinated more than six months ago” [or two months, if you received the J & J vaccine.]
No new cases were reported in Lyme, and so that town’s cumulative total holds at 131 for the 33rd day in succession.
The state does not issue reports over the weekend nor on public holidays. The next report from CT DPH will be issued Monday, Nov. 22, at around 4 p.m.
On Aug. 26, Old Lyme’s cumulative case total stood at 372, meaning there have been 90 new cases there since that date. Meanwhile, Lyme’s cumulative total on Aug. 26 was 114 indicating 17 new cases have also been confirmed there during the same period.
Lyme-Old Lyme Schools started the new academic year Aug. 26.
COVID-19 Cases in Lyme-Old Lyme Schools
This is the latest information that we have with the most recent cases first — there may have been further updates, however, which we have not yet received.
On Thursday, Nov. 18, Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme High School (LOLHS) had been reported.
On Sunday, Nov. 14, Neviaser informed the school community that over the weekend a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.
On Wednesday, Oct. 20, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.
On Wednesday, Oct. 5, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported the previous evening.
On Thursday, Oct. 23, Neviaser informed the school community of two intrafamilial positive cases of COVID-19 impacting Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School (LOLMS.) He stated, “We were able to complete our contact tracing and the one individual who must quarantine has been notified.”
On Wednesday, Sept. 22, Neviaser informed the school community of a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS.
On Thursday, Sept. 16, Neviaser informed the school community that a previously reported positive case of COVID-19 is now impacting Mile Creek School and Center School.
On Monday, Sept. 13, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19, which had been reported the previous day, was impacting LOLMS.
On Wednesday, Sept. 1, Neviaser informed the school community that a positive case of COVID-19 was impacting Mile Creek School.
On Tuesday, Aug. 31, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Monday, Aug. 30, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting LOLHS had been reported.
On Saturday, Aug. 28, Neviaser informed the school community that late on Friday, Aug. 27, a positive case of COVID-19 impacting Lyme School had been reported.
In all cases, contact tracing was completed and those individuals who needed to quarantine were notified. They will be able to return to school following their quarantine period. All other students and staff will continue to attend school as scheduled.
Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme
As reported above, there has been one COVID-related fatality of a Lyme resident — a 57-year-old male passed away Nov. 16, 2021.
The number of fatalities reported in Old Lyme stands at three.
The first two fatalities from Old Lyme, which were reported in 2020, were a 61-year-old female and an 82-year-old male.
Details of the third, which was reported in 2021, have not been made available.
Our condolences to Lt. Peperni’s family.