The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
‘ The issue is uncontrolled community spread’
Official says Russell Library ‘dialing back’ services again amid COVID rise
MIDDLETOWN — Library administrators, in conjunction with the local health department, will move to curbside-only services because of staffing shortages due to the increasing COVID-19 outbreak.
Other factors that led to the decision were that too many workers are quarantined because of possible exposure for themselves and other household members, and some who have lost child care as a result of the pandemic, according to Russell Library Director Ramona Burkey.
“The issue is uncontrolled community spread,” Burkey said.
Fortunately, she said, to date, there have been no known positive COVID cases among employees.
She, city and health
officials, as well as the library Board of Directors are making the change based on the rise in positive cases in Connecticut. Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday that 96 percent of the state is in the red zone.
A “COVID cloud” is looming, as the state surpasses 100,000 cases, the governor said. “That’s the metric that we use. It dictates where we stand,” said Acting Health Director Kevin Elak.
Over the past two weeks , positive coronavirus cases citywide have also sharply increased, said Elak, who expects data is yet to come in for this period. He predicts the totals will surpass 200 cases for each of the last two weeks.
“I anticipate that — before it’s all said and done — this week will look much like that, if not more,” he said. “If somebody tests positive today, we may not know for two or three days — five days — unless people tell us directly.”
COVID data is tracked by the state and announced each Thursday as a two-week average, Elak said. From Sunday to Tuesday, 34 cases were reported in Middletown; and 191 during the week of Nov. 8, however, he said, “that 34 will probably surpass last week.”
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday that 96 percent of the state is in the red zone — the highest possible level, which is based on 15 or more cases per 100,000. The COVID map shows only a few municipalities in the northern part of Connecticut
are evenly split between less than five cases or between 10 and 14 cases.
“That red map is really scary. It looks like it’s increasing exponentially. These are unprecedented times,” Burkey said.
In Middletown, “we were at 25.9 [per 100,000] last week, and now we’re at 40-something [with only Sunday to Tuesday figures available]. The numbers have increased dramatically,” Elak said. “Unfortunately, with the holiday coming up, that’s not good.”
Because of the lag time in getting the report on the full numbers, typically COVID cases rise as the week goes on, he said.
The one exception is schools, where there are relatively few positive cases in the city, however increasing numbers of staff primarily are self-isolating in the district, Elak said. Most recently, Farm Hill Elementary School moved to a full remote model.
“This is our way of trying to dial it back. The comparison has been it’s not an on-off switch. We’re trying to turn the dial back a little bit so we can do our part to keep things under control to keep our patrons and staff as safe as possible,” Burkey said.
She met Tuesday with board members, telling them a closure could be imminent, noting, “It’s never an ideal decision.”
The library closed from March 13 to July 13 during the first wave of the pandemic. Before opening to patrons, they instituted the curbside-only pickup for about a month and a half, Burkey said.
Options could involve appointment-only sessions for things such as computer access. Presently, a staff
member must stand by those using the computers to offer help or keep watch on mask use and other enforcement measures, Burkey said. “That’s an exposure risk” for both parties, Burkey said.
She is exploring the purchase of software programs that will allow staff members to monitor usage at their stations, “so we’re not breathing down their neck.”
During the prior closure, downloads of streaming materials and audio book check-outs were up markedly, Burkey said. Now, adults and children can even apply for library cards online, which more people than ever are doing.
Patrons may request up to 10 items at once. Curbside pickup will be available weekdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays (through March) from 1 to 5 p.m. For information, visit russelllibrary.org.