Health Alert For Fairfield County
As you have probably read in the news, this past weekend, the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a health alert in response to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) moving seven Connecticut counties, including Fairfield county, into the “substantial transmission” category per the CDC classification system.
“Per guidance this week from the CDC, anyone over age two who lives, works or travels throughout these counties should wear a mask when in public indoor spaces,” said Deidre S. Gifford, MD, MPH, senior advisor to the Governor for Health and Human Services, and acting commissioner of DPH. “This alert applies to all residents in these areas whether they are vaccinated or not.”
Those with underlying medical conditions who are at high risk for complications of COVID, or residents who live with high risk or unvaccinated individuals are also strongly encouraged to wear masks in indoor public spaces. This includes vaccinated family members who live with young children who are not yet eligible for vaccination.
Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Order 12A remains in effect which requires all individuals who have not been fully vaccinated for COVID-19 to wear a cloth face covering over their nose and mouth when indoors and unable to maintain adequate distance from others.
I know this is not welcome news for so many. Here in my house my own husband expressed sadness about the shift after returning from a trip to the grocery store and seeing so many people back in masks. For others there may be anger, confusion, or fear with these changes in not just the masking policies, but increases in positivity rates as well. It has been a long road, with tremendous impact on our families, businesses, schools and society at large, some of which we will not fully understand or realize for years.
As we continue to navigate the pandemic, we know one thing for certain, that the vaccine will help us to definitively move past COVID and these types of impacts on our day-to-day lives. COVID vaccines are readily available at hundreds of locations across Connecticut and I encourage everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine. |
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