Stonington Remains In Coronavirus Red Zone Despite Continued Decline In New Cases

From the Town of Stonington:

February 26, 2021

Dear Stonington Residents,

We are asking all residents and visitors to please continue to remain diligent in taking all COVID-19 precautions possible. In Southeastern CT, including Stonington, we are experiencing higher numbers than we did in April and all need to do our part to protect each other. As noted on the website, Town Hall and Human Services will remain in 'appointment only' model at this time.

We know there is a need for healthy, social interactions, but please wear masks and take all necessary precautions to help stop the spread. Please also keep in mind that limiting the people you interact with can help with critical contact tracing efforts.

Vaccines: The Town has compiled important information related to vaccines, which is updated frequently, and can be found here.

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: According to the CT Department of Public Health COVID-19 Alert Map, this week 116 of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are currently in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels. On November 19, 2020 Stonington moved from a orange to red community. For RI information, including town-by-town numbers, please see here.

COVID-19 Cases: As of February 24, 2021 the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported by the State among residents is 279,159, which is up from 58,297 (Oct 2).

• 485 patients are currently hospitalized (down from 731 last week and 837 the week prior, but still up from 110 on Oct 2) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We have lost 7,614 residents to COVID-19 associated deaths.
• In New London county, we have 31 people currently hospitalized (29 last week and 40 the week prior) and 18,356 confirmed cases (up from 2,206 on Oct 2).
• Stonington had 56 new cases (down from 78; 115; and 152 the prior weeks) in the past two weeks and 946 cumulative cases since March 2020. We have lost twenty-eight 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 Phase 2.1: As of November 5, the entire state rolled back to Phase 2.1 rules – a slightly modified version of the previously enacted Phase 2. As of March 19, 2021 Connecticut will loosen COVID-19 restrictions regarding private, social, and recreational events at commercial venues. Indoors capacity will be increased by 50% and capped at 100 people. Outdoors venues will increase to 200 people. Gov. Lamont said this move will depend on Connecticut's COVID-19 metrics. You can read more here.

Travel Advisory: For anyone traveling out of or into Connecticut from any state aside from NY, NJ, or RI, please know there are travel requirements in place and you can read more here. Please know it is strongly advised not to travel if at all possible. If you are traveling you are required to fill out a travel health form, which can be found here.

Communication: During this time, we want to do everything we can to stay connected. Please check our new First Selectman's blog for regular updates on a range of topics. Members of the community are also encouraged to sign up for email updates from the Town. You can do this by sending your name, along with preferred email to UpdateSignup@stonington-ct.gov.

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 business.

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.