COVID cases increase in Uncas Health District; new testing sites in Norwich, Griswold set

With 204 newly confirmed cases across the 11 municipalities in the Uncas Health District last week, the COVID-19 case rate for the area increased to 32.2, calculated per 100,000 residents, as of Sept. 4.

That case rate is an increase from the 27.8 reported previously; but the Director of the Uncase Health District, Patrick McCormack, said Friday morning the new numbers “are actually relatively stable” compared to the numbers over the last three reporting periods.

As of Sept. 9, there were 31 people hospitalized across New London County; while across the state of Connecticut this week, 74% of those hospitalized were unvaccinated, McCormack said.

McCormack added to a continued urgency around the importance of vaccination, noting only .43% of those who have been fully vaccinated in Connecticut have contracted COVID-19 to date.

“That [vaccination] will keep you out of the hospital and hopefully keep you from contracting the virus,” he said.

In his most forceful pandemic actions and words, President Joe Biden on Thursday ordered sweeping new federal vaccine requirements for as many as 100 million Americans — private-sector employees as well as health care workers and federal contractors — in an all-out effort to curb the surging COVID-19 delta variant, according to USA Today.

Speaking at the White House, Biden sharply criticized the tens of millions of Americans who are not yet vaccinated, despite months of availability and incentives.

“We’ve been patient. But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us,” he said, all but biting off his words. The unvaccinated minority “can cause a lot of damage, and they are.”

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In recent week’s staff at schools across the state along with major healthcare providers and private businesses mandated employees and staff to be vaccinated; or to be tested regularly.

Those orders appear to have ticked up the Uncas Health District's vaccination rate: As of Sept. 8, the Uncas Health District reported 55.07% of residents eligible to receive the vaccine were fully vaccinated; an increase from the 52.35% reported on Aug. 12.

“There are staff members who tend to be on the lower-income scale and they likely don’t see benefits and they are in jobs like paraprofessionals: substitute teachers [and] cafeteria and transportation workers,” McCormack said.

“One of the fears that hopefully we can address is there is not going to be a cost for the weekly testing and there should be no reason for people [to think there will be].”

“There will be no out-of-pocket expense for it,” he added.

In light of that, McCormack announced two free-testing sites open to the public for those who opt-out of the vaccine.

COVID in Connecticut:State records 305 COVID-19 cases in schools over last week

One at Dodd Stadium will be open 3-7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Another will be open 7-11 a.m. on Saturdays at the United Community and Family Services, UCFS, in Griswold.

As local residents continue to decide whether to get vaccinated; or, if required, be tested regularly; City Manager John Salomone said this week he did not believe the masking order currently in place for the city would be lifted next month; the next available date for its review.

“I don’t anticipate unless there is a dramatic change downward that we would be eliminating masks mandates on (Oct. 22, 2021),” Salomone

“We do have individuals who are in the city who are not vaccinated so we would certainly have to follow up on that,” he added.

But while masks are back for the near future; that does not mean there will be some return to normalcy. Staff at Uncas Health District in recent weeks are receiving an increasing number of calls from diligent community members asking for advice on how to access testing.

COVID in New London County:New London County's COVID cases fall 12.5%; Connecticut cases fall 8.8%

“We want people to recognize that they have the ability to access both testing and vaccine right now; there is no limitation on someone’s ability to access testing or vaccination so those things that appear to be restrictive are accessible to everyone,” McCormack said.

“That is the part people should continue to remember: We are in a much better place to do the things we enjoy,” he added.

That means for those local organizations and non-profits who are planning barbecues and events that were missed out on for the better part of the last 18 months should feel they can continue to operate.

“We say that we can never project out but in general there are very few restrictions on capacity other than to wear a mask if unvaccinated…and reminding people, if they are sick, please don’t come to the event.”