Orange Coronavirus Vaccine Weekly Update

ORANGE, CT — Connecticut is moving full steam ahead vaccinating residents against the coronavirus with 29 percent of people over the age of 16 getting their first shot as of Thursday.

Orange had 4,318 first doses administered as of March 8. About 31.01 percent of town residents have received at least one dose, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 795 new first doses administered between March 1 and 8 in Orange.

DPH estimates that 84.84 percent of Orange residents 75 and older have received at least one dose. Around 81.08 percent of residents between 65 and 74 have received at least one dose. DPH uses 2014 Connecticut population estimates for age groups, which is the most recent reliable estimate available.

Connecticut’s per capita infection rate is creeping downward. The state averaged 20.9 new daily coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents between Feb. 21 and March 6. The previous two-week average was 21.1.

The number of towns in the state’s red zone for coronavirus infections stalled at 104 out of 169. Towns fall into the red zone when average daily cases exceed 15 per 100,000 population.

Orange recorded 15 new coronavirus cases between March 4 and 10, according to the state Department of Public Health’s preliminary data. There have been 892 cases recorded since the pandemic began and 17 coronavirus deaths.

Orange had 22 average daily cases per 100,000 residents between Feb. 21 and March 6 and a positive test rate of 3.90 percent. There were 21 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period. It’s important to note that a relatively small number of cases can have a big effect on the case rate, especially in smaller towns.