Town Of Stonington's Last Weekly COVID-19 Community Update

From the Town of Stonington:

June 4, 2021

Dear Stonington Residents,

We are so happy to report further decreases in cases and increases in vaccines.

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 to the 'Grey" last week, and further declined this week, with a case rate of 3.8. We have not had a case rate this low in over a year. 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 June 3 2021 the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases reported by the State among residents is 347,748.

89 patients are currently hospitalized (compared with: 110; 140; 222; 324; 403; 515; 486; 515; 499; 456; 384; 428, 485 and 731 the weeks prior) with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. We have lost 8,245 residents to COVID-19 associated deaths.

In New London county, we have 4 people currently hospitalized (22;16; 22; 16; 18; 14; 15, 11, 20, 31 and 29 the weeks prior) and 21,240 confirmed cases.

Stonington had 6 new cases (10; 12; 22; 25; 22; 22; 28; 35; 28; 29; 37; 28; 34; 56; 78; 115; and 152 the prior weeks) in the past two weeks and 1114 cumulative cases since March 2020. We have lost thirty-one 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: As of May 19, 2021, nearly all COVID restrictions have been lifted, with the exception of certain mask requirements. You can read more here.

Communication: Our municipal government, consisting of staff, elected officials and volunteers, use a diverse range of communication channels to share information. 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 has been a 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.