Stamford Mayor Gives Update on COVID-19

STAMFORD, CT— Mayor David Martin gave an update on COVID-19 in Stamford on Tuesday evening, and said he was pleased with where the numbers are heading, while also cautioning residents to keep their guard up.

Martin also discussed the next stage in the vaccination process for the city, which will feature the canvassing of neighborhoods in order to get as many shots in arms as possible.

The Numbers

As of May 4, Stamford was averaging 23 reported new cases per day for a 14 day moving average. A year ago on that date, the number was 53.

"I'm very pleased about that. Even though cases are still high, that's a huge improvement over last year," Martin said. "That's despite the fact that last year we were heavily locked down, and now we're coming out of a lockdown. There's only one way that we're doing so much better and I think that's due to the vaccine that we're getting into people's arms."

According to a map of the city, the South End neighborhood saw 45.7 cases per 100,000 population per day from April 1 to April 30, the highest rate in Stamford. Waterside was next at 40.7. North Stamford was at the bottom of the list at 21.8.

"I think during the month of May we'll begin to see some of these areas change," Martin said. "As of this last month, Coronavirus is everywhere within the city of Stamford. Keep that in mind, and don't become careless."

Hospitalizations

As of May 4, there were nine patients hospitalized at Stamford Hospital, with zero patients in the Intensive Care Unit. Martin urged residents to seek medical treatment if they need it, and to not take any delay due to COVID.

"Do not postpone important medical treatment you might need because you think there's COVID-19 in the hospital. If you have cancer treatments that you need, or testing, make sure you get proper medical treatment. Please don't become victim of another disease. Get the vaccine for COVID, but do what you need to do for the other things that take our health away from us," he said.

Vaccinations

According to Martin, Stamford has administered over 210,000 vaccinations to date. That number includes those who aren't Stamford residents.

For Stamford residents, the vaccination percentages by age group are as follows, as of May 4.

Age 65+: 82% are fully vaccinated, 13% have one dose, 5% have no coverage.
Age 45-64: 52% fully vaccinated, 23% one dose, 26% no coverage.
Age 15-44: 14% fully vaccinated, 31% one dose, 54% no coverage.

In total, 51.1% of the Stamford population has received a first dose, as of April 28.

When vaccinations began earlier this year, demand was high and doses were hard to come by. Now, there's a lot of vaccine available, but not as many arms to give shots to.

With vaccination rates slowing across the country, there seems to be a shift in vaccine strategy, and that's certainly holds true in Stamford.

"The model has changed," said Stamford Director of Health, Dr. Jennifer Calder. "We're moving from you coming to us, to now we're going to you. This is something that we've utilized in public health for many years."

To that end, Stamford will begin a canvassing campaign in the coming days and weeks to reach neighborhoods and people where they live in order to give vaccinations.

"When we go door to door and tell people, 'We've got the vaccine, it's ready, come on over,' we get people to come out and get vaccinated. It's not as efficient as the mass vaccinations sites, but it's very important we get as many people as possible," said Martin. "Dr. Calder recently received a grant of almost $2 million. A good portion of that grant is to help us do canvassing in neighborhoods that we can detect have not had the same level of vaccinations."

Canvassing will be coupled with the city's "destination clinics."

Upcoming destination clinics include (no appointment necessary):

Stamford Dog Park May 3-8
Boccuzzi Park May 9-15
Jackie Robinson Park May 16-22
Lione Park May 23-29
Cumming's Park May 16-17

There will also be sponsored "pop up" vaccination events (no appointment necessary) at:

Stamford School of Excellence: 1 Schuyler St., May 15, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Pfizer)
Building One community: 75 Selleck St., May 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Moderna)
Bethel AME: 150 Fairfield Ave., May 22 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

For more information on the Department of Health clinics and a bed-bound program for Stamford residents, go to stamfordct.gov.

"We're getting to the end of this if everybody takes a shot. We're beginning to see the cases come down," Martin said. "Keep your social distance, keep that protection up, wash your hands, and don't go to wild parties where everyone is crowded together without a mask. We're not out of this yet, but we can see that we're getting there."