CT Public Health Officials Urge Vigilance Against Coronavirus

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut residents are being advised by state public health officials to remain vigilant against coronavirus, as case rates have risen over the last two weeks.

The Department of Public Health (DPH) has moved several Connecticut towns back into Red Alert status, as the average daily case rate for COVID-19 has increased statewide to 25 cases per 100,000 residents per day. Over 90 percent of the state population resides in towns with an average daily case rate of over 15 cases per 100,000 residents, which is the Red Alert standard. An estimated 40 percent of the new cases are the B.1.1.7 variant, according to the DPH.

While case rates have decreased among persons age 70 and older, they have plateaued or increased among all other age groups. The age group with the highest case rate is 20–29, according to the DPH.

New Haven County has the highest case rate at 31.8/100,000. The towns with the highest case rates are located in the Waterbury/Naugatuck Valley area; Waterbury has the second highest case rate in the state at 43.4/100,000. For the latest town map and other COVID-19-related data, click here.

For the week of March 14-20, the COVID-19 census was 401. COVID-19 hospitalizations have increased over the last week, with 456 people currently hospitalized as of Saturday, the DPH reported.

Variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, including those known to be more transmissible, are circulating in Connecticut and put people who are not fully vaccinated at increased risk of infection, serious illness and death, according to the DPH.

Continued vigilance and adherence to mitigation measures, including masks and social distancing, is key. In addition, state residents considering traveling during the upcoming spring break season are urged to review CDC’s travel guidance, which continues to recommend against traveling at this time, the DPH said.

DPH officials urge residents to get vaccinated when they become eligible, and remind citizens that they are not fully vaccinated until 14 days after the entire vaccination regimen.

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