Greenwich Officials Discourage Coronavirus Vaccine Hesitancy

GREENWICH, CT — The total number of cases of the coronavirus in Greenwich thus far rose by over 100 this past week, however the number of active cases declined by over 30 in that same timeframe, according to First Selectman Fred Camillo.

During a press update Wednesday afternoon, Camillo said the total number of cases in town thus far stands at 4,936 as of Tuesday, an increase of 119 from last week.

The total number of active cases of the virus in town, however, stands at 116 as of Tuesday, a decrease of 34 from last week, Camillo said. There were also no new reported deaths as a result of the virus in town this week, Camillo said.

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Camillo also noted coronavirus vaccinations continue to successfully roll out in town and encouraged anyone who has not set up an appointment to receive one to do so now.

"We just have to keep encouraging people to not sit on the sidelines," Camillo said during the press update, "but to go and get their vaccination so we can arrive at that herd immunity sooner rather than later."

Greenwich Hospital president Diane Kelly said there were 21 patients who tested positive for the virus at the hospital as of Wednesday morning, which is 13 more patients than last Wednesday. Of those patients, six were in the hospital's intensive care unit, five of which were on ventilators, Kelly said.

According to Kelly, the number of coronavirus patients at the hospital continue to remain roughly between 15 and 21, however it appears to be fluctuating each week.

"The majority of these patients across the [Yale New Haven Health] system that we are seeing have not been vaccinated," Kelly said during the press update, "so not getting vaccinated is leading to people...certainly can be admitted to the hospital, so it's something for people to pay attention to."

Kelly noted the hospital currently has both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines at its Brunswick School vaccination clinic and appointments were available as of Wednesday afternoon.

"So we would encourage people, as Fred said, not to sit on the sidelines," Kelly said, "to step in and be part of the solution here."

According to Kelly, the hospital is just starting to see more vaccine appointment openings following the rush of newly eligible residents during the first few weeks of April.

"Now that's not terribly surprising because you're getting to the majority," Kelly said. "We in Greenwich are doing a pretty good job getting people vaccinated, and at the same time we're having more vaccine released, so it's not all one side of it. It's not a problem, it's just an opportunity to fix the problem of getting people in and to get their vaccine...we have more supply and we are slowing down in the demand, so it feels like you have some breathing room in that area."

Camillo said he has run into a few people who have said they will not get a coronavirus vaccine, as well as some people who have said they will likely get one but are waiting to schedule an appointment.

"I would keep encouraging people to not wait any longer," Camillo said. "We're seeing now that you have millions and millions and millions of people who have gotten it, and the risks of not getting it far outweigh the risks of getting the vaccine."

Kelly said the entire Yale New Haven Health system is engaged in educating the community on the importance of getting vaccinated and reaching out to people who are reluctant to receive it. She also noted the hospital was able to reschedule appointments for people previously scheduled to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, use of which is currently paused in town.

"This is the time to get a [vaccine] appointment easily...this is a good time to do it," Kelly said.

As vaccinations continue to successfully roll out in Greenwich, Camillo said the town is currently discussing plans for some annual summer activities that were canceled last year due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, including the Fourth of July fireworks.

While the town will further asses the safety of such activities a little over a month before events are scheduled to take place, Camillo acknowledged they do not want to get ahead of themselves.

"We sound like a broken record every week, but we just want to make sure we get there safely," Camillo said. "We're on the back nine, to use a golf analogy. We're on the back nine but we're not in the clubhouse yet."