Coronavirus Update-Variant Virus, Phase 1B Vaccinations, Return to Red and Vaccine & Case Data

January 7th- Today, the Governor announced that the COVID-19 Variant has been detected in Connecticut. The CT DPH Commissioner warned residents, who are now test positive for the virus, should assume they have the variant strain and adhere to all of the required measures to protect against spreading the virus.  

As of this morning, the CDC reported 219,125 doses of vaccines delivered to Connecticut

Of the doses received, 100,889 initial doses, or 2.8% of the state’s population, were reported as administered.  This represents a 23% increase versus yesterday morning’s reported total.    Nationwide, 21.4 million vaccines had been delivered and 5.9 million first doses had been administered, increase of 25% and 22%, respectively.

According to the Governor and the DPH Commissioner, during Phase 1A residents of nursing homes are choosing the vaccine at a high rate. Other eligible vaccine recipients are choosing vaccination at a rate lower than hoped.  State efforts are underway to encourage vaccination. Despite the lower rate of vaccination, the demand for vaccines outpaced the vaccines received.  Since two doses are required, vaccines are being held to ensure those who have been vaccinated once will be able to have a timely second vaccine. 

The Governor announced the following initial eligibility recommendations for Phase 1B, which he expects to endorse.  Additional eligibility is expected next week. 

Eligible:

  • Aged 75 or older
  • Residents of Congregate Settings, as to be defined next week.  Elderly residents of low- income housing and residents of residential care homes, not vaccinated in Phase 1A, will be included in Phase 1B. 
  • Frontline Essential Workers:  Education & Childcare, First Responders & Public Safety, Transportation, Direct Care Social Services, Food & Grocery, Agriculture & Farm & Manufacturing.  Further definitions next week.

Notification:

  • Eligible individuals will be notified.
  • Details as to how individuals will be notified will be released next week. 

Administration and Timeline

  • Information on how to schedule an appointment will be issued next week.
  • Appointment scheduling will begin in one to two weeks.
  • A timeline for Phase 1B and Phase 1C will be issued next week.

The Governor’s Vaccine Advisory Group will meet on Tuesday.  They are expected to issue additional recommendations for Phase 1B, including related to residents under age 75 with increased risk.  It is expected that any recommendation will be begin with individuals aged 65 or greater. 

The following is data, as of 8:30 p.m. last night, from today’s CT DPH report versus Tuesday’s January 5th report:

  • Wilton:  20 new cases reported. 643 cases YTD.  Based on cases through last week, Wilton was reclassified as a red alert community.  This week, we are seeing a post-Christmas/vacation uptick. 
  • Statewide:  5,790 new cases.  7.09% of the 81,713 new tests reported were positive.  202,758 cases YTD.
  • Fairfield County 1,437 new cases.  60,396 cases YTD.
  • Hospitalized Patients:  Statewide1087 with a 62-net patient decrease. Fairfield County280 with a 13-net patient decrease.
  • Deaths:  Statewide, 6,287 with 95 new deaths.  Fairfield County, 1,772 with 17 new deaths.  Wilton, 45, with no new deaths.  

The following chart shows the distribution of known cases by age for the previous periods and the current 7-day period.  Newly known cases ranged in age from 5 to 63.

 

Wilton

Jan 5 to

Dec 29 to

Nov 10 to

Ages

Population

Jan 11th

Jan 4th

Dec 28th 

0 to 4

5%

0%

0%

4%

5 to 14

18%

15%

12%

9%

15 to 24

13%

22%

20%

20%

25 to 44

16%

26%

24%

20%

45 to 65

32%

37%

28%

41%

65+

16%

0%

16%

6%

Please, behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.

5 W’s

  • Watch your distance
  • Wear a mask/face covering when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance whether indoors or outside
  • Walk, run or bike to the right in single file when passing another person on the NRVT, sidewalks and trails
  • Wait to host indoor gatherings
  • Wash your hands

If you have a question, please email me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman