Cristin McCarthy Vahey

Dear Neighbors,
 
I know you’ve been hearing from me a little more frequently these days, but with Omicron spreading quickly, I want to be sure you have information that can help you safely navigate this holiday week in particular. The New York Times reports that Connecticut is one of 14 states whose current per-capita daily average of positive cases is above the highest ever reported in the US, which occurred in January 2021. My husband and I both tested positive for COVID just before Christmas and are in the midst of our quarantine. Thanks to the vaccine and booster, we have been fortunate to avoid symptoms.  I am hoping the following information can help you and your families remain COVID free.
 
 
Quarantine / Isolation
 
As I was writing up this note for all of you this afternoon, the CDC issued new guidance regarding isolation and quarantine for those who have tested positive. Isolation has been shorted from 10 days to 5 for those who are asymptomatic. According to the CDC’s latest release, “Given what we currently know about COVID-19 and the Omicron variant, CDC is shortening the recommended time for isolation from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others. The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after. Therefore, people who test positive should isolate for 5 days and, if asymptomatic at that time, they may leave isolation if they can continue to mask for 5 days to minimize the risk of infecting others.” You can read the complete advisory here.
 
 
GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES PLAN TO DISTRIBUTE AT-HOME TESTS and N-95 MASKS
 
Earlier today, the Governor announced that one million self-tests will be distributed beginning this week with two million more to be sent to K-12 schools around the state. This is in addition to the half a billion home tests that President Biden will deliver. Details are still unfolding, with plans for local emergency response teams to work with the state Department of Public Health and the CT National Guard for distribution. You can read the full press release here. I wanted to highlight the remarks of our CT Public Health Director, Dr. Manisha Juthani. Please note that Dr. Juthani issued these remarks before the CDC made their announcement:
 
“There are three simple and effective interventions to fight off the current surge of COVID-19 from the Omicron variant – vaccination, masking, and testing. We will be distributing two of these – masks and tests – so that our communities can work as quickly as possible to get past this surge. I strongly encourage people to limit gathering sizes during this holiday week. Because of the scarcity of these kits, I am asking the residents of our state to please take only the kits that you need for your immediate family so that we can distribute as many as possible to help flatten the Omicron curve. Per the CDC recommendations, if your self-test yields a positive result, please stay home or isolate for 10 days and wear a mask. There is no need to obtain a follow up PCR test. Given the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant, it is most important to wear any mask both in public spaces and when interacting in close contact with individuals outside of your household, but an N95 mask will provide better protection. We are distributing enough N95 masks for any Connecticut resident that would like one.”
 
         
TESTING – What to Know and How to Find One
 
 My husband and I tested because we were planning to gather with extended family for Christmas. We had no symptoms. Many of those now COVID positive and fully vaccinated and boosted are reporting mild symptoms. If you have the symptoms, don’t assume that you always have the sniffles at this time of year. Get tested and stay home until you know you do not have COVID. Omicron is spreading rapidly. John Burn-Murdoch of the Financial Times created this graphic, based on epidemiologist Michael Mina’s New England Journal of Medicine article, which can be helpful in understanding tests and timing.

Although the December 23 Washington Post article,  At-Home COVID Tests and Omicron, is a bit outdated, it provides helpful information about home testing and what you need to know.
 
Another Washington Post article today, Making Sense of the Different Types of Tests for COVID-19, shared this data on the rapid antigen tests:
 
“A review of 64 studies by the Cochrane Library, a medical database, published in March found antigen tests on average correctly identified 72% of people who had symptoms as being infected with the coronavirus. In people without symptoms, on average, the antigen tests correctly identified 58% of those who were infected. On the other hand, false positives are rare: Analysis by the U.K. government published in May found fewer than one false positive in every 1,000 tests carried out. Rapid antigen tests were as effective detecting omicron infections as for the previous strains, according to an initial evaluation by the U.K. published Dec. 17.” 
 
To schedule a lab test, go to the 211 website to find testing locations. The Hartford Courant’s article, Where to find a COVID-19 test in Connecticut This Week Without an Appointment is another helpful guide.

VACCINATION
 
Vaccination remains the best way to protect yourself and your family. Today’s COVID update from Governor Lamont reports a 10.71% daily test positivity rate and of particular importance notes that we are now up to 79.1% of the 925 residents hospitalized who are not vaccinated. Dr. Ashish K. Jha, MD, MPH and Dean of the Brown School of Public Health tweeted that, “Data from Delta suggest vaccinated folks have shorter contagiousness periods. Expect same with Omicron.”
 
 To find a vaccination site, click here.  (please insert CT page). Walk-In clinics can be found here.
 
MASKS
 
 Though we have certainly had our fair share of debates over the effectiveness of masks, I wanted to underscore Dr. Juthani’s message that N95 masks, or their equivalent, are the most effective means of protection with the surge of the Omicron variant. I encourage you to mask up when you are out and about or in groups, particularly if you are not vaccinated or boosted.
 
We are all so tired of COVID. Perhaps you feel a sense of inevitability – that we will all end up with COVD – and are tempted to throw your hands in the air. Please don’t. As we live our lives, there are some important and helpful steps we can take to remain COVID free and avoid infecting others, especially those who are at risk – getting vaccinated, staying home if you are not feeling well, testing, and masking. It has been a long two years for all of us, and some have suffered much more than others. I continue on this road with you and will work to do my best to provide support, information, and resources. We WILL get through this.
 
Please share this information with those who might find these resources and events helpful and of interest. You can also sign up for future e-mails. Have a wonderful day.