Fairfield COVID-19 & Vaccine Updates

COVID
December 3, 2020
Earlier today, I had the opportunity to participate in a virtual conference with Dr. Leana Wen, physician, public health professor and contributor to some national news outlets. According to Dr. Wen, the United States on track to see death numbers similar to the 1918 flu, though this is not inevitable. Informal indoor gatherings with people outside of the household are driving up transmission rates. Too many of us are not changing our behaviors. Health professionals are telling us that health systems are increasingly overwhelmed.

In the face of all of this, I’d like to share a few of Dr. Wen’s recommendations with all of you. What we do makes a difference.  
  • When assessing your risk, think of:
    • Proximity – stay 6 feet apart
    • Activity – singing, eating and drinking, loud talking are riskier than quiet
    • Time – 5 minutes is better than 5 hours – keep interactions shorter
    • Ventilation – doors and windows open
    • Mitigation – masks, masks, masks
  • Think about risk cumulatively. If you have one higher risk activity or have more potential exposure, then limit exposure in other areas. She gave the example of parents thinking that because kids are in school, play-dates should be OK. In fact, the opposite is true. And recall, it is the informal gatherings where there is increased transmission.
“It’s not the vaccine that will save lives, it’s the vaccination.”
COVID-19 Vaccine

At today’s press conference, the Governor and leaders of the vaccine advisory committee shared timelines, distribution plans, new quarantine guidelines and what happens post-vaccination. 160 of 169 CT towns are in the Red Alert status. All vaccine information is subject to change and is evolving by the hour. There is no vaccine mandate and there will be no cost for receipt of the vaccine.
  • December 10 – Scheduled FDA review of Pfizer vaccine – 12 hospitals are prepared to store it
  • December 14 – 31,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine delivered
  • December 17 – Scheduled FDA review of Moderna vaccine
  • Dec 21 – 63,000 doses of Moderna vaccine delivered

Phasing of Distribution – which follows CDC Guidance

  • Phase 1a (#s represent an 80% uptake in each group) – Dec 14 – Jan 25
    • Healthcare workers – 204,000 (this includes nursing home workers)
    • Nursing Home Residents – 22,000
    • Medical First Responders – 6,000
  • Phase 1b – Mid-January to May
    • Critical Workforce – daycare, food service, teachers,
    • Other congregate settings – corrections, group homes
    • Adults 65+
    • High risk under 65
  • Phase 2 (Early June)
    • Under 18
    • Remaining Over 18

New Quarantine Guidelines

  • 7 Days – No Symptoms and a negative PCR test
  • 10 Days – If not symptoms
  • 14 Days – Still preferred for high risk situations

What Happens When “Everyone” is Vaccinated?

Commissioner Giffords answered the question by saying, “Don’t get rid of your masks.” There are still many questions about efficacy and it is unclear what percentage of the population will choose to be vaccinated. She predicts that we will need to continue to protect ourselves through the majority of 2021, particularly for high risk individuals.
 
REMINDER - Sign up for COVID Alert CT

The Governor recently announced that Connecticut will join other states and cities in using the COVID Alert CT system.

How does it work? Check it out:

  • First, users should visit the COVID Alert CT website, where they can find instructions on how to download the app for their specific device.
  • Once installed, the app uses Bluetooth to sense whether a user’s device has been within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in one day – without sharing any personal information.
  • If a user has been near another person who has tested positive and is also using the app on their personal device, an alert will be triggered notifying the user that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
  • A notification will not be triggered if two devices in this scenario are just passing by for a short duration or stay more than 6 feet away from each other. 
If a user tests positive:
  • A contact tracer from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, their local health department, or their higher education institution will ask them if they are willing to share the “close contact” codes their app has logged while they may have been contagious.
  • If the user agrees, a contract tracer will provide them with a verification code.
  • Once that code is submitted through the user’s app, those individuals who came within 6 feet of that user for more than 15 minutes and who also are using the app will receive a notification on their device that they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
  • Sharing this status is secure and private. The app will never reveal who the user is to anyone else.