39 Connecticut towns are now back in the COVID red zone.
With the recent rise of COVID-19 cases, 39 Connecticut municipalities are now back in the red zone. As of Thursday, there were 361,294 coronavirus cases in Connecticut, according to the state’s COVID-19 data portal. The weekly positivity rate is over 3 percent in the state, with Fairfield and New Haven counties presenting the most cases.
The system, which has been active since last year, divides the tiers as red, orange and yellow and provides different recommendations to individuals, communities and local governments.
Here are some questions and things to know to help understand the system:
Which are the redzone towns as of now?
As of Friday, the towns of Ansonia, Ashford, Beacon, Falls, Bloomfield, Bristol, Brooklyn, Cheshire, Columbia, Durham, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Haven, Easton, Franklin, Hampton, Hartford, Ledyard,
Meriden, Middlebury, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, New London, North Branford, North Haven, North Stonington, Norwich, Plymouth, Rocky Hill, Stamford, Stonington, Thomaston, Waterbury, Waterford, Wethersfield, Willington, Windham, Windsor and Wolcott are in the red-zone.
What does it mean to be in a “red zone”?
Towns in the red tier are those with a daily average of at least 15 new COVID-19 infections for every 100,000 people in two weeks, ending on Aug. 7. Orange zone are those that present 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 residents.
What should I avoid doing while in the red zone?
The state points to the following recommendations online: Individuals should avoid trips outside the home and gatherings with non-family members. The state is also encouraging the postponement or cancellation of indoor community events as well as outdoor events that cannot sustain mask-wearing and social distancing.
What are the mask mandates if I’m in a redzone town?
Each Connecticut municipality decides its own mask mandates within its borders. For example, Stamford residents, regardless of vaccination status, must wear masks indoors or at any outdoor gatherings of more than 100 people on city property. However, West Haven is “strongly” recommending masks but is not requiring them.
What happens with schools in red-zone towns?
Local school districts are recommended to work with the local health department in determining whether schools should consider distance learning, the DPH advises. Gov. Ned Lamont has said it is up to each school district to make a decision on distance learning. The state no longer requires each school district to offer distance learning.