Second Coronavirus Vaccination Super Site Set To Open In Stamford

STAMFORD, CT — Mayor David Martin and Stamford Health announced Thursday a second coronavirus vaccination super site will open this month at 1 Elmcroft Road, in the city's Harbor Point area.

In a news release, Martin said the site was established through an agreement between the city, Stamford Health and Building and Land Technology.

It is also a continuation of the partnership established between the city and Stamford Health in January to begin vaccinating the general public in the Wheeler Building at Stamford Hospital, which will remain open. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Gov. Ned Lamont applauded the opening of the new vaccination site in Stamford.

"This is precisely the type of partnership that is required to launch a successful mass vaccination program," Lamont said in a news release, "and I am thrilled that this partnership has come together so swiftly. The city of Stamford, Stamford Health and Building and Land Technology have each played an important role throughout the pandemic serving Stamford's residents."

Through their partnership, the city and Stamford Health have administered over 43,000 vaccines in the city as of Thursday. Stamford Health has also hired and trained staff to open the second location on Monday.

"It is vital we make every resource available to deliver the COVID-19 vaccine to Stamford's community as fast as possible," Martin said in a statement. "We will vaccinate our residents faster if we establish partnerships to open high-capacity sites like 1 Elmcroft and Stamford Hospital, allowing us to scale up the number of vaccinations to well beyond a thousand doses per day as vaccine supply becomes more available. Stamford is fortunate to have a strong relationship with partners willing to address our community's public health concerns."

Residents are encouraged to visit stamfordhealth.org and sign up to receive email updates on new locations and expanded eligibility, Martin said.

"We are proud of the vaccination program we have established with the city of Stamford," Stamford Health CEO Kathleen Silard said in a news release. "Now with additional support from Building and Land Technology we are able to open another mass vaccination site that will help us expand our capacity at a critical time. Throughout the pandemic we have cared for the community. Now, in addition to testing and treatment we are thrilled to be able to provide hope in the form of this life-saving vaccine."

BLT Chairman Carl R. Kuehner III said the company was always willing to lend support "when the welfare of the city is at stake."

"A dedicated team at BLT is working around the clock to provide all of the logistical support necessary to open this vaccination site," Kuehner said in a release. "Our goal is to provide an efficient site that will allow the city of Stamford and Stamford Health to deliver up to 3,000 vaccinations per day, seven days a week."

Residents eligible to receive the vaccine can make an appointment by calling 203-276-7300 or online at stamfordhealth.org/covid19vaccine.

One Year Later

The opening of the new vaccination site comes as the city reaches the one-year milestone since the coronavirus crisis officially reached Stamford in March 2020.

During a livestream held Tuesday evening, Martin noted Saturday marked a year since he made an announcement regarding the city changing its building and cleaning protocols, particularly at the city's Government Center.

"At that time," Martin said during the livestream, "there was not a single case [of coronavirus] yet reported in the state of Connecticut."

Stamford recorded its first case of the virus on March 11, 2020, exactly a year from Thursday, Martin said. He also noted Stamford officials took the virus seriously at the start of 2020 and began internal planning in January of that year.

"We were the place that was most likely to be impacted by [the virus]," Martin said, "because we were close to New York with a very diverse community and many nursing homes. It was pretty tough, but we've come through this very well and are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel."

As of this week, the city is seeing a rate of 33 cases of the virus per day, Martin said. He likened the ongoing coronavirus crisis to a rollercoaster in which riders are advised to keep their hands and feet inside the vehicle until it comes to a complete stop.

"We're not done with this yet," Martin said. "Restrictions are changing, behaviors are changing and vaccines are rolling out, but I advise everyone to keep their hands and appendages inside the rollercoaster until we get closer to the finish here. We're closer to the finish, but let's not relax too early before we get there."

As of Tuesday, Stamford Hospital has 17 patients in-house who have tested positive for the virus and four patients in the facility's intensive care unit, Martin said.

He also advised residents not to postpone receiving necessary healthcare at the hospital, or any other medical facility, out of concern over the virus.

"Don't become victim to another disease because you didn't go to see your doctor when you needed to," Martin said, "for any disease...make certain you get there and keep yourself safe."

Martin noted 14.4 percent of Stamford's population has received at least the first dose of a coronavirus vaccination as of March 1.

According to Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski, over 60,000 vaccines have been administered in Stamford as of Tuesday.

"The vaccines are coming," Jankowski said during the livestream. "Again, the only thing that's restricting us is the number of vaccines we're receiving from the state, but we're going to continue to push to get more vaccines."

He also noted Stamford Hospital and the city have administered over 42,000 vaccines.

"Anybody that has gone to Stamford Health," Jankowski said, "I receive nothing but compliments about the whole vaccination process."

A full video of Tuesday's livestream can be viewed on the Stamford Government Facebook page.