Greenwich opens three new COVID-19 vaccination clinics

GREENWICH — Three new clinics opening in town Monday will help combat the spread of COVID-19 and meet the heavy demand for the vaccine as Phase 1b of the state’s vaccination plan rolls out to include seniors over 75.

The town will operate a clinic at Town Hall three days a week, and Greenwich Hospital will hold a clinic at Brunswick School’s King Street campus while Family Centers Inc. operates out of the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center five days a week. Greenwich Hospital is also giving vaccinations at its office at 500 W. Putnam Ave.

All of these clinics are run by appointment only.

Demand is already so high that Greenwich Hospital has suspended taking appointments because of its limited supply of the vaccine, First Selectman Fred Camillo said late Friday.

This week, President Joe Biden authorized use of the Defense Production Act to accelerate production of the vaccine to be distributed nationwide.

Residents can make appointments at the state website, and Camillo reminded eligible residents that they can go anywhere in the state to get the vaccine.

To make an appointment through the state, visit dphsubmissions.ct.gov/onlinevaccine or to go through Greenwich Hospital, visit www.ynhs.org/covidvaccine.

If you do not have Internet access, make an appointment by calling the town’s Health Department at one of its several numbers: 203-622-7703, 203-6227842, 203-622-7836, 203-6227865 or 203-622-7614.

Residents can also call the town’s Commission on Aging at 203-862-6710 or the Yale New Haven Health System, of which Greenwich Hospital is a part, at 1-833-275-9644.

Camillo urged callers to be patient and be prepared for a log wait because of an expected high call volume.

Residents who need rides to the clinics should contact the Transportation Association of Greenwich, Camillo said. The cost is $6 for a round trip, and reservations can be made by calling 203-637-4345 or sending an email to debbie@ridetag.org.

TAG takes the temperatures of riders and masks are required.

The clinics are opening as Camillo reported some positive trends in the number of cases in town.

“We are continuing the downward trend in the number of new cases being diagnosed each day,” Camillo said in his weekly e-blast Friday.

Since mid-March, 3,121 residents have tested positive for the coronavirus, with 148 active cases this week, down from 185 active cases last week, he said. Greenwich Public Schools reports there are 24 active cases among students and staff, one of which can be traced to in-school transmission. The number of deaths of town residents increased by four this week, to 79 total since March, he said.

On Friday, Greenwich Hospital was treating 34 patients diagnosed with the coronavirus, down from 35 on Wednesday. Of those 34, three were in the intensive care unit and two needed a ventilator.

Since the pandemic began, Greenwich Hospital has discharged 1,051 coronavirus patients to continue their recovery at home or at a rehabilitation center.

As part of Phase 1A of the state vaccination program, which covered front line medical workers, the hospital said it has administered 2,580 vaccinations to hospital employees and doctors.

Under Phase 1B, residents over the age of 75 can make appointments for the vaccine, which is administered through two shots within 21 days. Eligibility will be expanded in the coming weeks to include residents over the age of 65, residents who are classified as essential workers and residents under the age of 65 who have comorbidities.