DPH Issues COVID-19 Alert For Norwich Following Spike In Cases

NORWICH, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health has issued a COVID-19 alert for Norwich due to a recent spike in new cases in the last two weeks.

DPH is working with local officials to get the word out in the community to take extra precautions for the time being, including: limiting trips outside the home, wearing masks anytime you leave home, avoiding indoor gatherings with those you don't live with, and not attending large outdoor gatherings.

Between Sept. 13-26, Norwich recorded at least 84 new COVID-19 cases to raise the daily case rate to 24 per 100,000, the highest rate in the state.

"This is a significant increase in cases in Norwich we need to focus everyone’s attention on," said Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford. "We appreciate the partnership with municipal leaders in Norwich and the Uncas Health District, as well as those health care providers that have testing sites available for members of the community. We are urging anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to get tested as soon as possible and isolate if you test positive, and stay at home for 14 days if you have been exposed. If you are over the age of 60 or have a chronic disease and live in Norwich, you should stay home as much as possible.

"We need employers to help make sure everyone with symptoms or who was exposed is staying home and not coming to work. Anyone who needs resources such as food or financial assistance in order to stay home should call 211 because there are resources available. It is also very important to answer your phone if a contact tracer reaches out to you, so we can help you manage your exposure," Gifford said. "We can limit spread of the virus if we all work together"

The following below testing locations are available in Norwich. COVID-19 testing in Norwich is free and no appointment is necessary:

• Friday, Oct. 2: The Edward & Mary Lord Family Health Center - 47 Town Street, Norwich, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Friday, Oct. 2: Backus Hospital - 326 Washington Street, Norwich 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Kelly STEAM Magnet Middle School, 25 Mahan Drive, Norwich 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Backus Hospital - 326 Washington Street, Norwich 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich 9 a.m. to noon -Walk Up Site
• Saturday, Oct. 3: Uncas School - 290 Elizabeth Street Ext., Norwich 9 a.m. to noon - Drive Thru
• Sunday, October 4: Norwich Adult Education, 191 Hickory Street, Norwich Noon to 5 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Sunday, October 4: Backus Hospital - 326 Washington Street, Norwich 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. - Drive Thru
• Sunday, October 4: Three Rivers Community College, 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich 9 a.m. to noon-Walk Up Site