Coronavirus Update-Resident Questions, Vaccine Info & Case Data
February 3rd -The following are recent questions from residents:
How do I calculate the 14-day average daily new cases mentioned in last night's update? The average, identified by CT DPH and CT State Department of Education as the primary indicator of risk, is the 14-day average daily new cases per 100,000 residents. CT DPH excludes new cases in nursing homes and assisted living facilities from the calculation. To calculate, total the cases for 14 days less any nursing home or assisted living cases. Divide that number by 14 for your average daily new cases for Wilton’s population of approximately 18,350. Multiple that by 5.45 to convert to cases per 100,000 residents. Currently, nursing or assisted living new cases are infrequent.
How does the percentage of Wilton students who have tested positive for COVID-19 compare to the percentage for the general population? It is virtually the same. The Wilton Public School’s website indicates 118 WPS students tested positive since the start of in-person learning through today. That represents 3.16% of the enrolled population. The percentage positive for the remaining general population for that same period is 3.22%.
Other than the previously announced outbreaks at WHS and SSND, are there any other specific sources of the increase in new cases? No. There hasn’t been a third specific cluster of cases or any unusual noted. Contact tracers frequently see spread between family members living within the same household. Family members might consider discussing with each other any behavior that puts them and the remaining family members at risk and how to minimize that risk through distancing and other feasible approaches.
I read about the Federal government’s new program to ship vaccines directly to pharmacies. Are there any participating pharmacies in our area? Yes. We have been notified the CVS on Connecticut Avenue in Norwalk is the one area pharmacy on the list to receive vaccines. Vaccines sent by the Federal government are in addition to the first and second doses already allocated to Connecticut.
Is there a published start date for vaccinations for those under 65 with increased risk? And is there a published CT DPH definition for increased risk? No. Qualified residents with increased risk and frontline essential workers are scheduled to receive vaccines following residents aged 65 to 74.
How do I sign up to receive these updates by email and is there a Coronavirus page on the Town’s website? Yes, there is a resource page. Click the red banner on the homepage or use this url: https://www.wiltonct.org/coronavirus-resources
Sign up for these updates on the following link. Check Town News and Announcements under News or Announcements: https://www.wiltonct.org/subscribe
Is the Stadium track still scheduled to be replaced this summer? Yes. At last night’s Board of Selectmen meeting, we voted to authorize a contract with Cape and Island Tennis and Track following a competitive bidding process. The contract has a total cost of up to $974,300, inclusive of the option for blue and grey colors. At the same meeting, Kevin Foley and Bev Hermann, on behalf of Back the Track, presented the Board with a gift of $80,500 towards the replacement. The amount more than covered the additional cost for the desired colors. Thank you to Back the Track’s leadership and their donors. The timing of the installation is dependent on the status of the spring sports season and the WHS graduation.
Vaccine Information
Today, the Wilton Health Department in partnership with Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Fairfield County held another successful vaccine clinic for residents aged 75 and up. One hundred and ten vaccines were administered. Vaccines arrive in vials of ten. Once opened all vaccines must be used. Of the vaccines administered, ten were remaining from the prior week’s shipment and one hundred were received yesterday. A vial of ten is only opened if there are ten qualified people present to receive the vaccine.
The following is data, as of 8:30 p.m. last night, from today’s CT DPH report versus yesterday’s February 2ndreport.
- Wilton: 2 new cases reported. 841 cases pandemic-to-day (PTD). A more reasonable 1.2% of the 165 new tests reported were positive. We are still waiting for the details behind the almost 20 new cases reported yesterday, but not yet received for contact tracing. CT DPH acknowledged the delay and noted necessary work associated with their software.
- Statewide: 482 new cases. 3.77% of the 12,782 new tests reported were positive. 257,004 cases PTD. This is an unusually small number of daily tests reported.
- Fairfield County: 111 new cases. 73,762 cases PTD.
- Hospitalized Patients: Statewide, 874 with a 26-net patient decrease. Fairfield County, 214 with a 3-net patient increase.
- Deaths: Statewide, 7,157 with 24 new deaths. Fairfield County, 1,943 with 3 new deaths. Wilton, 47, no new deaths.
Without the ages for the large number of cases yet unidentified, the week by age data is likely misleading. Therefore we are waiting to publish.
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