Coronavirus Update-Indicators for Decision-Making, Storm Wrap-Up, Vaccine Info & Case Date

February 2^nd-With two recent outbreaks and community spread increasing over the past few days, it’s a good time to review the fundamentals of the State’s and the Town’s response to the pandemic.

Throughout, Connecticut and Wilton have utilized strategies to minimize community spread and negative medical outcomes.  They generally fall under: 

• Mask Wearing 
• Increased Distance
• Reduced Density  
• Restrictions on High-Risk Activities

Strategies are adjusted as required based on the level of key risk indicators, as defined by the CT Department of Health (CT DPH) and the CT State Department of Education (CSDE) and the CT Department of Health in the case of school districts. 

The Primary Indicator of risk is the 14-day daily average new cases per 100,000 residents.  Jointly, CSDE and CT DPH define the risk levels and recommend learning modes as follows:

                                                                                Low           Medium          High

14-day Daily Average New Cases                         <10              10 to <25        25+

School Learning Mode                                         More               Hybrid          More 

                                                                             in-person                             Remote

Secondary Indicators are defined as 

14-day Daily Average Percentage of Positive Tests-Countywide

14-Day Daily Average Hospitalizations-Countywide 

14-day Average Percentage of COVID-19 and Flu like Illness-Countywide

Every Thursday, CT DPH issues weekly reports by town and by county for the four indicators. Below is the weekly data for Wilton and Fairfield County for the last 7 weeks.  This Thursday’s 14-day daily average new cases is expected to be similar to the week before.

Three weeks and an anticipated fourth week of high risk in January is an indicator that we all need to be mindful and adhere to the mitigation strategies.  

Fortunately, Wilton’s use of multiple mitigation strategies, including hybrid learning, cohorting and quarantine strategies have allowed Miller Driscoll, Cider Mill, Middlebrook and now WHS to remain in their current hybrid learning modes. 

On the other hand, our high-risk status would advise against a shorter quarantine period, as in December the CDC provided as an option depending on local conditions.

The above information was recently provided to the Board of Education, along with other information about our Health Director’s decision-making related to learning modes, quarantining and mitigation strategies.  Read more here.  

Vaccine Information

Next Stage: As shared last night, residents aged 65 to 74 should expect to become eligible for appointment booking within two weeks.  For Wilton, this group is more than 1.5 times the size of those aged 75 and up.  At the same time Wilton’s allocation of vaccines has been reduced to only 100 doses for this week and the next several weeks.  

We don’t expect to have the doses to provide this age group with the same concierge service level provided to those 75 and up.   When eligible, residents 65+ should expect the need to schedule their vaccine appointment themselves either

• Directly with one of the large health centers/hospitals that has their own appointment system.
• Using VAMS to locate a provider.
• Calling 877-918-2224.
• Directly with retails pharmacies.  The roll-out of which is scheduled to begin slowly in mid-February.

You can plan and familiarize yourself now by

• Identifying locations for vaccines in our area with this zip code search.  To see locations in the Danbury area enter 06810.  The appointment booking method is included in the search results.
• Watching the VAMS tutorial prepared by Social Services. 
• Saving this list of solutions for common errors with VAMS: 
  • You must have an email to register. 
  • Enter your email in lower case. 
  • When asked if you have registered for the vaccine, they are asking if you have an appointment. Answer no.

Please do not book an appointment now in anticipation of becoming eligible.  You risk being cancelled and ending up further back in line.  We are not maintaining a waitlist for residents under age 75.

Tomorrow’s vaccine clinic is proceeding as planned.

Storm Wrap-Up

Emergency Management Director and Chief of Police John Lynch shared the following: “We weathered the storm-so to speak. (he always likes a good pun!)  Wilton received approximately 15 inches of snow with some drifting. A huge shout-out to our Public Works personnel for a fantastic job!!!  Most roadways are clear and passable and showing blacktop. Please be cautious of re-freezing as the overnight temperatures drop below freezing.

Yesterday and this morning brought several accidents, but no injuries, and a few power outages and blocked roadways that were cleared quickly. Eversource is currently reporting no outages in Wilton and the command center has been de-activated.  Thank you all for your patience.”

Cases Update

The following is data, as of 8:30 p.m. last night, from today’s CT DPH report versus yesterday’s February 1^st report.  

• Wilton:  22 new cases reported. 839 cases pandemic-to-day (PTD). 14.6% of the 151 new tests reported were positive.  22 new cases is substantially more than the number of cases received today for contact tracing.  We are reaching out to understand the difference.
• Statewide:  2,568 new cases.  4.36% of the 58,957 new tests reported were positive.  256,522 cases PTD.
• Fairfield County:  664 new cases.  73,651 cases PTD.
• Hospitalized Patients:  Statewide, 900 with a 12-net patient decrease. Fairfield County, 211 with an 18-net patient decrease.
• Deaths:  Statewide, 7,133 with 14 new deaths.  Fairfield County, 1,940 with 2 new deaths.  Wilton, 47, no new deaths.  

Please practice the 5 W’s and 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