HARTFORD – The information in this post comes from an Aug. 1 press release by the Connecticut Department of Health, and data from the state’s COVID-19 open data portal.
Given the rapid increases in cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut over the last 14 days due to the spread of the Delta variant, the Connecticut Department of Public Health is strongly recommending that ALL CONNECTICUT residents over aged two years, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, return to wearing masks when in indoor public spaces.
On Aug. 1, Middlesex County has joined six other Connecticut counties in being classified by the CDC as having “Substantial Transmission” of COVID-19.
CDC classifies counties with greater than 50 COVID cases per hundred thousand residents over seven days as “Substantial.” While Litchfield county does not currently meet the threshold, the likelihood is high that they will soon meet the threshold, and therefore universal masking indoors is an important precaution.
Vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals at high risk for complications from COVID-19, including those with compromised immune systems, diabetes, asthma, other lung diseases, pregnancy or obesity, should also avoid large indoor gatherings that may include a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Vaccination remains the most important defense against illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. So-called “vaccine breakthrough” cases have occurred in Connecticut, but they remain rare, and the vast majority of hospitalizations and deaths in Connecticut and around the country are in unvaccinated individuals.
DPH strongly recommends that unvaccinated individuals get vaccinated as soon as possible to help stop the on-going spread of the Delta variant.
Editor’s note:A recent COVID-19 outbreak in Cape Cod showed that vaccinated people can still spread the virus, which puts the unvaccinated at risk. Click here for a news story and click here to read the CDC study.
VACCINATIONS ARE READILY AVAILABLE IN THE NAUGATUCK VALLEY, INCLUDING YOUR LOCAL PHARMACY.
Click here for the state’s ‘vaccine finder.’
The Naugatuck Health District on Bank Street in Seymour hosts vaccine clinics every Friday, according to the NVHD website:
“MODERNA VACCINES AVAILABLE (18+) EVERY FRIDAY 10 – 12pm! NEW CLINIC LOCATION 100 BANK STREET (REAR ENTRANCE OF NVHD BUILDING). WALK-INS WELCOME OR SCHEDULE IN VAMS,” according to the website.
From state Rep. Kara Rochelle’s Facebook page: “You can also call CT’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line from 8am-8pm, seven days a week, to get assistance with finding a convenient vaccine location: 877 – 918-2224.”
If you’re outside the lower Naugatuck Valley, Griffin Health has mobile clinics happening. That’s where you can get a shot and some freebies, such as tickets to Quassy, Beardsley Zoo, gift cards to Dunkin Donuts and more. To learn about the date, location, and freebies, click this link.
Griffin Health is running clinics at 10 Progress Drive in Shelton and 727 Rubber Ave. in Naugatuck.
“The Shelton location is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays. The Naugatuck location is open from 12 to 6 p.m. on weekdays, from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, and closed on Sundays,” according to the Griffin Health vaccination website.
Latest Valley COVID-19 Data
Positive Cases
Ansonia: less than five cases between July 11 and July 24.
Beacon Falls: less than five
Derby: 11 cases
Naugatuck: less than five
Oxford: 10 cases
Seymour: less than five cases
Shelton: 35 cases
Note: none of the communities above are considered COVID-19 ‘hot spots,’ according to the state
LOWER VALLEY Vaccinations
Percentage Of Entire Population FULLY Vaccinated
(As of July 28)
(Highest to lowest)
Shelton: 61.5 percent
Derby: 60.7
Oxford: 60.4
Beacon Falls: 57.7
Naugatuck: 53.2
Ansonia: 48.6
Percentage fully vaccinated, ages 12 to 15
Derby: 52.9 percent
Oxford: 42.5
Naugatuck: 33.9
Seymour: 33.8
Shelton: 33.4
Beacon Falls: 34
Ansonia: 22.1
Fully vaccinated, ages 16 to 44
Oxford: 61.5 percent
Shelton: 61.2
Derby: 58.5
Seymour: 55.9
Beacon Falls: 54.6
Naugatuck: 50.1
Ansonia: 46
Fully vaccinated, ages 45 to 64
Derby: 75 percent
Seymour: 71
Shelton: 69
Beacon Falls: 67.6
Ansonia: 64.4
Oxford: 64.3
Fully vaccinated, ages 65 and up
Beacon Falls: 100 percent
Oxford: 100 percent
Naugatuck: 93.5
Shelton: 92.9
Seymour: 87.8
Ansonia: 80.6
