COVID Update 3.9

March 9, 2021

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you are all getting a chance to get outside in the beautiful weather today and expected later this week.  Maybe your doctor even prescribed that for you, as described in this article in the CT Mirror I came across this week: who isn’t tempted by a little “forest bathing”?  
 
I hope to get outside later this week, but today I had to make do with looking out the window, though I could see on my multiple screens that a couple of my colleagues were doing their zoom calls from outdoors. 

I had two big simultaneous hearings today, one of which was the hearing (which just ended) in the Energy & Technology Committee, which heard testimony on the Governor’s broadband bill, HB 6442.  A number of Northwest CT residents came to testify today, and even more of you submitted written testimony! Thank you all for helping draw a clear picture of the challenges we have with connectivity: I think we cleared an important hurdle, and I look forward to the next steps on the bill. 
 
And, go UCONN! Congratulations to the UCONN Women’s Basketball team on their 19th Big East Tournament win.

 Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • Additional Cases of COVID variant Reported in CT. Click here.
  • Educators Vaccinated in Litchfield County. Click here.
  • Access Health CT Extends Special Enrollment Period. Click here.
  • Virtual Job Fair on March 16. Click here.
  • Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend. 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.”
 

Specific Updates for Our Community

 

Town Total Cases Total Deaths Number of Tests Number of Positive Tests
Canaan 7 0 692     8
Cornwall 44 0 1,875     52
Goshen 124     1 4,192     148
Kent 134 0 8,321 161
Norfolk 61 0 1,962 70
North Canaan 183 8 8,341     201
Salisbury 122     0 9,451 146
Sharon 95 1 4,594     134
Torrington 2,785 132     76,350 3,406

AnchorAdditional 15 cases of B.1.1.7 variant reported in Connecticut, bringing statewide total confirmed cases to 81; First death in Connecticut linked to B.1.1.7 variant reported
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health today announced that an additional 15 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19, commonly known as the UK variant, have been reported among Connecticut residents, bringing the statewide total number of confirmed cases of the variant to 81. The 15 individuals include 2 residents of East Canaan. 
 
The specimen collection dates for these newly identified cases are from between January 29 and February 17, 2021, and the individuals involved range in age from 15 to 55 years old.
 
Additionally, the state today reported the first death of a Connecticut resident who was infected with the B.1.1.7 variant.
 
AnchorOver 600 local educators throughout Litchfield County vaccinated this past weekend
 
Despite many challenges getting access to the vaccine, we have started to see some success, particularly vaccinating our teachers.  On Sunday, approximately 650 educators, including from Vogel Wetmore School in Torrington, Region 6, Winsted, Norfolk, The Gilbert School, and Forman School, came to the Torrington Armory and received their first shot. 

The vaccination clinic, held in partnership between Charlotte Hungerford Hospital and the Torrington Area Health District, also distributed 120 doses on Thursday, and will distribute another 1,000 doses today (Tuesday). The second dose will be administered in three weeks.

To make an appointment for one of the upcoming vaccination clinics, patients should create an account at MyChartPLUS.org, select “visits” or “appointments” and select a Hartford HealthCare vaccine clinic location. Connecticut is now vaccinating those 55 and older, educators and child-care providers.
For more, see click here.
 
AnchorAccess Health CT extends special enrollment period for uninsured residents
 
Due to high enrollment volume, CT residents without health insurance will be able to enroll in coverage until April 15, 2021, an extension of the original deadline of March 15.
 
Access Health CT will continue to offer free help: 

AnchorVirtual Job Fair on March 16th, presented by Northwest CT and Greater Danbury Chambers of Commerce
 
If you’re currently hiring, please check out our Virtual Job Fair on March 16th from 10-1, presented by the Northwest CT and Greater Danbury Chambers, sponsored by the Northwest Regional Workforce Investment Board, and powered by Premier Virtual.  The fee for a virtual booth is $50. 

  • Employers: click here to register
  • Jobseekers: click here to register

AnchorReminder: Daylight Saving Time begins this weekend
 
It is almost time to spring forward! Daylight Saving time will begin this Sunday, March 14, 2021. Don't forget to adjust your clock accordingly!

When you turn you clock forward, please take an extra minute to install fresh batteries into your smoke detectors. A working smoke alarm can make a huge impact during an emergency.
 
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.