COVID Update 12.15

December 15, 2020

We are awaiting two big events in the next couple of days.  One is Winter Storm Gail, which has caused a winter storm watch from Wednesday afternoon through Thursday afternoon, and will potentially leave us with a foot or more of snow.  The second is the delivery of the COVID-19 vaccine to hospitals in the region, which is expected on Thursday.  Sharon Hospital was notified last evening they will be receiving dosage for their medical staff, with the plan to begin vaccinating by Friday.  Charlotte Hungerford expects 125 doses to arrive on Thursday, with the first round of vaccinations expected to take place on Thursday, Friday and Monday. 
 
Needless to say, both institutions are watching the weather carefully as they anticipate the arrival of the vaccine.  I hope you all do the same: please stay off the roads if you can.  On a lighter note, both Region One and Region Six schools have decided that, even when school is remote, that an occasional snow day makes for a healthy break, so I hope I get to see a few snowmen sprouting up later this week.  Please stay safe, healthy, and off the roads. 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • CT Travel Advisory. Click here.
  • Access Health CT Extends Open Enrollment Period. Click here. 
  • COVID-19 Testing Site in Kent. Click here.
  • Shop Local During the Holidays. Click here.
  • Storm Preparation From Eversource. Click here. 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 

AnchorWeekly update to Connecticut’s travel advisory: No changes made this week

The State of Connecticut’s travel advisory – which directs incoming travelers from states and territories with a significant community spread of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a 14-day period – is remaining the same this week as no locations are being added or removed. The list is updated once per week every Tuesday.

As of today, the full list of impacted locations under the travel advisory includes:

  1. Alabama
  2. Alaska
  3. Arizona
  4. Arkansas
  5. California
  6. Colorado
  7. Delaware
  8. Florida
  9. Georgia
  10. Guam
  11. Idaho
  12. Illinois
  13. Indiana
  14. Iowa
  15. Kansas
  16. Kentucky
  17. Louisiana
  18. Maine
  19. Maryland
  20. Massachusetts
  21. Michigan
  22. Minnesota
  23. Mississippi
  24. Missouri
  25. Montana
  26. Nebraska
  27. Nevada
  28. New Hampshire
  29. New Mexico
  30. North Carolina
  31. North Dakota
  32. Ohio
  33. Oklahoma
  34. Oregon
  35. Pennsylvania
  36. Puerto Rico
  37. South Carolina
  38. South Dakota
  39. Tennessee
  40. Texas
  41. Utah
  42. Vermont
  43. Virgin Islands
  44. Virginia
  45. Washington
  46. West Virginia
  47. Wisconsin
  48. Wyoming

The requirement to quarantine applies to any person traveling into Connecticut from one of the impacted locations. Impacted locations include those – other than the neighboring states of New York, New Jersey, and Rhode Island – that have a positive case rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents or higher than a 10 percent test positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average, and countries for which the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice.

Anyone arriving to Connecticut from any of the impacted locations is required to complete a travel health form upon their arrival. The form can be filled out online at ct.gov/travelform.

For the most up-to-date information on the travel advisory, including an extensive list of frequently asked questions, visit ct.gov/Coronavirus/travel.

AnchorAccess Health CT extends 2021 annual open enrollment period until January 15, 2021
 
Access Health CT has extended the 2021 Annual Open Enrollment period until January 15, 2021 as a result of the current health crisis, providing more time for CT residents to get covered. If individuals choose a plan during the extension, the coverage will start on February 1, 2021. 
 
In addition, Access Health CT customers who enrolled in a plan for 2021 now have the option to keep it or find a new plan. However if they make a plan change during this extension period, the new plan will have a start date of February 1, 2021 and they must pay the January bill (premium) for the original plan.
  
Access Health CT will continue to offer free enrollment help to all Connecticut residents during the extension:
 

  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.  8 AM - 6 PM, Sat. 9 AM-3 PM
  • At a time that works for you at a Virtual Enrollment Fair*, more information here

·       In-Person at an Enrollment Location* in Groton, Bridgeport, New Haven, New Britain, Stamford, or Hartford by appointment only. For more information click here
 
AnchorCOVID-19 Testing Site in Kent on Monday, December 21

Through a partnership with the state, the Town of Kent has been selected as a host site for state -sponsored COVID-19 testing. The first event took place on Monday, with 160 people successfully tested.  The next will take place on Monday, December 21 from 3:00 to 7:00 pm, at the Town of Kent Transfer Station, 46 Maple Street, Kent.

This testing is FREE to the public, no insurance information or identification is needed.  Download patient information form  (ONLY patient info box needs to be completed) and bring with you. Testing vendor Sema4 provides test results through their online portal in approximately 48 hours. Please read their FAQ sheet for details on instructions to create an online portal to receive results.  Any questions should be emailed to covidinfo@townofkentct.org .  

The current funding for these testing sites is through the federal CARES Act, which expires at the end of the calendar year.  It is our hope that, working with the state, we will obtain other funding that will pick up where that leaves off and we will be able to continue to provide this testing every Monday through February 2021.  I will provide updates when they’re available. 

AnchorShop locally this year (and every year)!

How to Celebrate Locally:

  • Dine-in or take-out from local restaurants
  • Find the perfect gifts at your local small businesses
  • Order your holiday pies and deserts from bakeries in your community
  • Consider purchasing gift certificates from local shops and restaurants as gifts for your friends and loved ones
  • Share with your family, friends and social media followers what local businesses you discovered this year
  • Make sure to also visit the Northwest Connecticut Chamber of Commerce's website as well to partake in local events and raffles promoted through eating and shopping local this holiday season.

    By keeping your business local this holiday season, you can help our communities celebrate local shops and restaurants for years to come!

 
AnchorTips for Storm Preparation from Eversource
 
We are looking at predictions of heavy snow and wind this week, that could dump up to a foot or more of heavy snow on parts of Connecticut starting Wednesday afternoon. Some areas may also experience high winds.
 
In light of dangerous weather conditions, and possible power outages, Eversource suggests:

  • Report any outages:
    • Use the Eversource mobile app or visit Eversource.com
      • You can download the app on the App Store or Google Play
    • Call (800) 286-2000
    • Text OUT to 23129
  • Prepare an Emergency Storm Kit with items like water, non-perishable food, first aid materials, medications, flashlights, batteries and a battery-powered radio.
  • Make sure cell phones are fully charged and have car and portable power pack chargers ready for additional charging.
  • In the event of a downed power line, always assume the wire is live, call 911 and Eversource, and stay away.
  • If you use a generator, follow all safety precautions provided by the manufacturer 

 
 
Providing information to Connecticut residents
 
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
 
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.