COVID-19 cases up nearly 300% since first week in November
NEW CANAAN — There were 51 positive cases of COVID-19 last week compared to 13 the first week of November, according to the town website.
In October, the new positive cases hovered around a dozen each week. Of the positive cases last week, more than half, or 30, are under the age of 29.
“No known hospitalizations in town,” Health Director Jenn Eielson said Monday. However, the full gamut all may not be completely accounted for since “not everyone answers our contact tracing calls,” according to Eielson. No new deaths have been reported.
“Thanks to our very high vaccination rate in New Canaan, residents may continue with normal activities,” First Selectman Kevin Moynihan said in his update last week.
The vaccination rate for the town sits at 77.9 percent , with all but two of the eligible age groups being at 100 percent, according to the town website dashboard as of Dec. 9. More than half, or 53.4 percent, of those ages 5 to 11 are fully vaccinated and 93 percent of those ages 45 to 64 are fully vaccinated.
“Although cases are up this week, it is not unexpected after the Thanksgiving holiday due to travel and family gatherings, “Moynihan said.
Residents can still eat in restaurants and attend in-person meetings, sporting events, holiday festivities and school, Moynihan said. He said residents should don “masks where appropriate,” “especially if unvaccinated,” or “as personal comfort level dictates based upon age and any health conditions.”
The first selectman added that he may increase the frequency of his updates that are delivered weekly by email and texts, “should circumstances change in coming days.”
In the schools, 21 positive cases have been reported according to the school dashboard on Monday morning. There were seven positive cases in New Canaan High School, five in Saxe Middle School, three in East School, two in South School and four in West School.
There were also three positive cases reported among staff, one in the high school, one in the middle school and one in the district office. There are 29 students in the district under quarantine, with the most in the middle school with 10.
Moynihan still urges residents experiencing COVID symptoms to “stay home from school or work, avoid large gatherings and get tested.”
Of the positive cases last week, seven were “breakthrough” cases of residents who were vaccinated and still contracted the virus. To date, New Canaan has had 84 “break-through” cases out of 14,905 fully vaccinated residents for a 56 percent case rate.
The town is offering testing, vaccinations and boosters. More information may be found on the town website.