Over 200 New Coronavirus Cases Reported In Greenwich This Week

GREENWICH, CT — While the arrival of the first wave of coronavirus vaccines at Greenwich Hospital may signal good news on the horizon, First Selectman Fred Camillo reiterated there is still "a tough month ahead" for Greenwich residents in regards to the virus.

During a press update Wednesday afternoon, Camillo said the town has seen an increase of 243 new cases of the virus over the past week, bringing the total number in town to 2,110 as of 12:15 p.m. Wednesday. He also noted this week's rise in positive cases is "pretty consistent" with last week, which saw and increase of 244 new cases.

The town's total number of active cases as of Wednesday afternoon is 109, an increase of 11 from last week. This week also saw the death of another town resident as a result of the virus, bringing the total number to 60. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"Around the state, it's not good, but this was predicted," Camillo said. "We knew this was coming and we've predicted that in the next we're going to see similar numbers because of gatherings, but the great news is that the vaccines have arrived and we're starting to see, little by little across the country, people getting them."

Greenwich Hospital officials announced Wednesday five staff members had received the vaccine created by Pfizer and the German company BioNTech. The first batch of vaccines arrived at Greenwich Hospital Tuesday night, and additional doses will arrive "almost daily" from Yale New Haven Health, according to the announcement.

"Today, we have a new weapon in our war against COVID-19," Greenwich Hospital president Diane Kelly said in a statement, "a vaccination that is incredibly safe and carries a 95% rate of efficacy. Armed with this vaccine, we have a new opportunity to beat back and crush COVID-19 over the weeks and months ahead."

The vaccine will be given in two doses, with recipients receiving the second shot 21 days after the first one.

With the arrival of the vaccines in town, Camillo said he expected to see the effects of them circulating throughout the population "little by little" each month.

"So that's all good, but we still have another tough month ahead," Camillo said. "I'm very, very hopeful that, as long as we keep our guard up and our masks on and our distances, we'll be fine."

He also noted the arrival of the vaccines brings "a lot of optimism and hope" to the town.

"It begins, I believe, the final stage of this unfortunate period in our history," Camillo said. "This virus will go down in history, this pandemic, but we're entering the final stage of it now. I say that, again, not to get ahead of ourselves though, because we're still not there, but the end is in sight. We're in a very different place than we were last March."

As the number of positive cases of the virus continues to rise in town and the Christmas and New Year's Eve holidays right around the corner, Camillo reiterated the importance of residents staying cautious during the second half of December.

"That being said, I want people to go out and enjoy the holidays and their families, but to continue to do so safely," Camillo said. "Even in your own house, with children coming home from out of state, many of which have a high number of cases, be careful. Make sure everybody is tested. When you come in from outside or visiting others, wash your hands. Make sure you're continuing to follow the protocols."

He also recommended residents be creative in ways they can enjoy the holidays without gathering in large groups.

"You can do all types of things," Camillo said, "and maybe even start traditions."