2020-12-04 CoronaVirus Update #38
To: All residents
From: Steve Dunn, First Selectman
COVID CASES IN BROOKFIELD
As of yesterday, Thursday the 3rd of December, Brookfield is still in the Red Zone.
In the last two weeks reported (ending on Saturday, November 29th ) we have 116 new cases of the virus in Brookfield. This is almost twice the previous two week period reported. That moves our rate per 100K residents up to 48.7, which is also almost double the prior two weeks. The threshold to be in the red zone is 15 cases per 100K residents. Total cases in Brookfield are now 567. We have had additional deaths in town since our last report, bringing the total to 13 deaths to date. Positivity rate in Brookfield is now 6.8%, up from 5.9% last week. However, In November alone we had 112 cases reported, the highest month since June. So far in December, in three days, we have 27 cases reported. The number of reported cases are rising at a rapid rate and we again urge everyone to wear masks, limit your contact with others, socially distance and go out only when absolutely necessary. We fully expect these numbers to rise significantly as a result of gatherings at Thanksgiving.
Based on the contact tracing we have done, transmission of the virus continues to primarily be a result of social gatherings, where masks are not worn and social distancing is violated.
The State will be receiving the vaccine in the near future and will issue guidance shortly on how the vaccine will be distributed. There will be a limited number of people who can be vaccinated to start so there will be an extended period of time before everyone who wants a vaccination can receive one.
TESTING SITES
The State has just issued a report showing location where Brookfield residents can get tested for the virus:
HTTPS://www.211CT.org/covidtest/Brookfield
TOWN HALL ACCESS CHANGED
Town Hall is now closed to walk in visitors. We encourage everyone to access town services on line or by calling the office you need assistance from. If necessary, you can make an appointment to come into town hall to conduct business. We are still holding normal business hours.
SCHOOLS ARE IN FULL REMOTE
The schools, due to having a rate of over 25 cases per 100K residents, has gone into full remote mode. The schools have developed a new dashboard which we share here:
BROOKFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS
STATE TO START TRACKING COVID USING PHONE APP
The state has launched new technology to help stop the spread of COVID-19 among our residents and families. With support from Apple and Google, we launched COVID Alert CT, a notification app to inform you of possible exposure to COVID-19 – all without disclosing your location or personal information.
This app is only as successful as the number of people who use it, which is why we ask that you share this information with employees, colleagues, family, and friends.
The app is available in multiple languages and can be used on Android and iPhone. Use the following link to download the Android app from the Google Play Store or click here to learn how to enable the app through the settings on your iPhone.
UNDERSTANDING THE STATE CODING SYSTEM
There are four categories in the Coding system. The Red zone indicates municipalities that have an average daily COVID-19 case rate over the last two weeks of greater than 15 per 100,000 population. The orange zone indicates those that have case rates between 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 population. The yellow zone indicates municipalities that have case rates between 5 and 9 per 100,000 population, and those indicated in gray have case rates lower than five per 100,000 population.
RESOURCE LINKS FOR COVID:
COVID-19 Community Alert Infographic: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/Communications/Graphics/COVID-chart.jpg
COVID-19 Community Alert Map is posted here at 4:00 pm on Thursdays: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker
The case rates will be included in the detailed data report that DPH publishes every Thursday, which will also be posted on the Data Tracker webpage: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker
DPH Stay at Home Advisory: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Press-Room/Press-Releases---2020/DPH-Issues-New-Public-Health-Advisory-for-All-CT-Residents-Amid-Rise-in-COVID-19-Cases
Executive Order 9K on Phase 2.1: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/Executive-Orders/Lamont-Executive-Orders/Executive-Order-No-9K.pdf
Latest guidance and Sector Rules:
https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Covid-19-Knowledge-Base/Latest-Guidance
Questions on the reopening phases can be emailed to DECD.Covid19@ct.gov
Questions on sports guidance can be emailed to Thomas.St.Louis@ct.gov
State Testing Locations: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Priority-Populations
Questions on testing can be emailed to Michelle.Gilman@ct.gov
Community Resources Page: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/communityresources
Questions on testing can be emailed to LoraRae.Anderson@ct.gov
2-11 COVID-19 Resources Page: https://uwc.211ct.org/covid19resources/
State Department of Education Revised Addendum 4:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/SDE/COVID-19/Addendum-4-Interim-Guidance-for-DecisionMaking-Regarding-the-Use-of-InPerson-Hybrid-Blended-or-Remot.pd