The 2,043 is the number of cases since March.
The health director at the Naugatuck Valley Health District on Thursday acknowledged a recent uptick in COVID-19 cases locally, a pattern that isn’t unique to the lower Naugatuck Valley as the region approaches the eight-month anniversary of the virus’ arrival in Connecticut.
“The increasing number of cases can be attributed to reasons including but not limited to: more people getting tested on their own accord (a good thing!), more people are aware they have been to exposed to positive cases and therefore getting tested (thanks to contact tracing!), people are moving indoors (back to school, increased Phase 3 allowances, etc.), and people are attending more group activities (sports, family gatherings, etc.),” Jessica Stelmaszek said in an email accompanying the NVHD’s daily COVID-19 report.
The NVHD’s Thursday, Oct. 22 report shows seven new local cases. The NVHD’s jurisdiction includes Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour, and Shelton.
Oxford is in the Pomperaug Health District.
There are been 273 new cases reported locally in a month. The NVHD has not reported a COVID-19 associated death since July 31.
Oct. 22 COVID-19 Report Fro… by The Valley Indy
Last week state officials started issuing a COVID-19 “hot spot” map.
It tracks the average daily rate of COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population. Towns in the red are consistently reporting 15 or more cases per 100,000 people over two weeks. They’re the “hot spots.”
The list of “hot spots” grew from 11 towns to 19 towns from Oct. 15 to Oct. 22.
Click here to view an interactive map.
The towns colored red are listed in the image below:
There are no red towns within the NVHD’s local jurisdiction, though the map shows Seymour closest to the state’s threshold among local towns.
In her statement Thursday, Stelmaszek pointed out that Naugatuck and Seymour are in the “orange zone.” According to the state, that means the daily positivity rate in Naugatuck and Seymour has been averaging 10 to 14 cases daily per 100,000 population for two weeks.
Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby and Shelton are in the “yellow zone,” which is 5 to 9 cases per 100,000 population.
“As we have been reporting increasing numbers over the last few weeks, it is no surprise that the Valley is now shaded in both yellow (Shelton, Ansonia, Derby, Beacon Falls) and orange (Seymour and Naugatuck),” Stelmaszek said.
A closer look at the map shows that Seymour, with 38 new cases, had a rate of 14.3 between Oct. 4 and Oct. 17.
Naugatuck’s rate was 10.3.
Beacon Falls was 9.2.
Derby was 8.
Ansonia was 6.5.
Shelton was 6.4
According to the Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 dashboard, about 9,800 people have “recovered” from COVID-19 in Connecticut. Click here to explore the dashboard.
From the NVHD Thursday email:
We are all experiencing a bit of “pandemic fatigue” but we cannot let our guards down now!
- If you have been tested for COVID-19, you must stay home until you receive your results regardless of whether or not you feel sick or have symptoms.
- If you test positive, please call and notify your local health department of your result. NVHD can be reached at 203 – 881-3255.
- If you or your child feels sick, stay home! Call your doctor or local testing site. Do not assume it is allergies or the flu.
- Please continue to practice social distancing and wear a mask/face covering when in public and when unable to maintain a 6 foot distance.
- Don’t forget to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds!
On Oct. 21, Ansonia Public Schools sent a letter to parents advising of a positive COVID-19 test. As a result, the district closed two classrooms at the Prendergast School. The letter is embedded below:
Ansonia Schools Oct 21 Covid Letter by The Valley Indy on Scribd
As a reminder, both the CDC and the state health department have repeatedly advised that traditional Halloween activities such as going door-to-door for candy with the kids is a “high risk” activity in terms of virus transmission.
The document below contains ideas deemed safer.
Safe Ways To Celebrate Halloween During A Global Pandemic by The Valley Indy on Scribd
