Ridgefield Coronavirus Cases Spike: 'What Are We Doing Wrong?'

RIDGEFIELD, CT — The town has recorded 70 new coronavirus cases between March 17 and 25, according to the state Department of Public Health’s preliminary data. There have been 1,336 cases recorded since the pandemic began and 61 coronavirus deaths.

"Ridgefield is not heading in the right direction," said First Selectman Rudy Marconi on Thursday, when 28 new cases were reported. "We now have the third highest case rate in Fairfield County and I have to ask myself why? What are we doing wrong?"

The First Selectman pointed at pandemic fatigue and spring fever as possible reasons why residents might be letting their guard down.

"If everyone will be patient and stay the course, we can get through this," Marconi said. "Please stop gathering. Keep to your small and controlled bubbles. Do not relax your efforts.”

All Connecticut residents 16 and older will become eligible for the coronavirus vaccine on April 1, but it’ll likely be at least a few weeks before everyone who wants one can get one.

Connecticut continues to make rapid progress vaccinating the population. About 40 percent of people 18 and over have received at least one dose as of Thursday.

Ridgefield had 8,023 first doses administered as of March 24. About 32.14 percent of town residents have received at least one dose, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The number of towns in the state’s weekly red zone for coronavirus infections increased by 16. Towns fall into the red zone when average daily cases exceed 15 per 100,000 population over a two-week average.

Ridgefield had 34.3 average daily cases per 100,000 residents between March 7 and 20 and a positive test rate of 5.80 percent. There were 20.6 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.