COVID-19 Cases Decreasing In Stonington While Vaccination Rates Are On The Rise

From the Town of Stonington:

April 23, 2021

Dear Stonington Residents,

We are so happy to report a decrease in cases and increase in vaccines. We know this, combined with the State's plan to lift most COVID-related restrictions later in May, will mean more time spent out with friends and family. We ask all residents and visitors to please continue to remain diligent in taking COVID-19 precautions, particularly wearing a mask.

Vaccines: The Town has compiled important information related to vaccines, which is updated frequently, and can be found here. Please call the First Selectman's office or Human Services if you need assistance or have questions pertaining to vaccine registration or transportation.

Health and Community Support: In addition to the physical health impacts, please know there are also resources for mental health support during this challenging time. Your mental health matters. Please read more regarding resources, tips and more details on this topic here.

Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases: Stonington's cases reduced enough to move us back to the 'Yellow, with a case rate of 8.5. We have not had a case rate this low since May of 2020. To see more visit the CT Department of Public Health COVID-19 Alert Map. For RI information, including town-by-town numbers, please see here.

COVID-19 Cases: As of April 22, 2021 the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported by the State among residents is 333,732.

• 515 patients are currently hospitalized (compared with: 486; 515; 499; 456; 384; 428, 485 and 731 the weeks prior) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We have lost 8,039 residents to COVID-19 associated deaths.
• In New London county, we have 22 people currently hospitalized (16; 18; 14; 15, 11, 20, 31 and 29 the weeks prior) and 20,499 confirmed cases.
• Stonington had 22 new cases (28; 35; 28; 29; 37; 28; 34; 56; 78; 115; and 152 the prior weeks) in the past two weeks and 1060 cumulative cases since March 2020. We have lost twenty-seven residents to COVID-19 associated deaths.

Testing: Testing is available around our region and a site developed by the SECOG has regular updates to mobile locations, found here. Thank you to everyone who came out and got tested over the five times we were able to offer local testing, and thanks to the efforts of Yale New Haven Health, LLHD, Stonington Public Schools and Stonington Human Services teams.

Contact Tracing: The State of Connecticut has launched its official COVID-19 exposure notification app, COVID Alert CT. The app, available for Apple and Android mobile devices, informs users if they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 – all without sharing any personal information. First, users should visit here, where they can find instructions on how to download the app for their specific device. Please remember contact tracing is a critical piece to curbing the spread. Consider watching this video from LLHD to learn more about contact tracing.

State of CT Reopening: March 19, 2021 the State entered into Phase 3. You can read more here.

Communication: During this time, we want to do everything we can to stay connected. Our municipal government, consisting of staff, elected officals and volunteers, use a diverse range of communication channels to share informaiton. To find an overview of the various means of communication please visit here. Please also consider joining one (or ALL) of our new Facebook groups, specifically set up to support Stonington residents during COVID and beyond:

• Stonington Connects (established at the beginning of the pandemic to connect residents with virtual enrichment and rec opportunities
• Stonington Supports (solely focused on highlighting programs to assist with basic needs, mental health and other local, regional and federal catchment programs); and
• Stonington Works (a place for local businesses to share opportunities and residents seeking employment to network with one another). For more info, send a direct message or email: LTheodore@stonington-ct.gov.

While this is an extremely difficult time; it is also a time for us to show just how kind and strong we are, together as a community. Remember, even small actions, can make a big difference. If you are well and able, please think of friends, family and neighbors who might benefit from your help at this time, as well as our local non-profits and businesses.

If you have questions, ideas or concerns please contact us in the First Selectman's Office.

We will get through this together.

Please stay safe Stonington.

Danielle Chesebrough, Stonington First Selectman

Department Phone Numbers

Administrative Services 860-535-5000

Assessment Department 860-535-5098

Building Official 860-535-5075

Finance Department 860-535-5070

First Selectman 860-535-5050

Human Services Department 860-535-5015

Planning & Land Use 860-535-5095

Public Works 860-535-5055

Solid Waste 860-535-5099

Sanitarian (Ledge Light Health) 860-535-5010

Tax Collector 860-535-5080

Town Clerk 860-535-5060

Voter Registration 860-535-5047 or 5054

WPCA 860-535-5065

Police 860-599-4411

Police Emergency 911

Town of Stonington: COVID-19 and Mental Health

This press release was produced by the Town of Stonington. The views expressed here are the author’s own.