2020-12-11 CoronaVirus Update #39
To: All residents
From: Steve Dunn, First Selectman
COVID CASES IN BROOKFIELD
As of yesterday, Thursday the 10th of December, Brookfield is still in the Red Zone.
In the last two weeks reported (ending on Saturday, December 5th) we have 161 new cases of the virus in Brookfield. That moves our rate per 100K residents to 67.6 up from last week 48, which was 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 608 with 68 probable cases. We have had no additional deaths in town since our last report and remain at 13. Positivity rate in Brookfield is now 9.7%, up from 6.8% last week. The rates are rising across the board and we have yet to see what the Thanksgiving Holiday might bring, We again urge everyone to wear masks, limit your contact with others, socially distance and go out only when absolutely necessary.
VACCINATION OF RESIDENTS
Phase I of the rollout of the vaccine will cover Health Care workers, First responders and nursing home and assisted living residents. The State will shortly issue guidance on the rollout to residents shortly. More details will be coming in the next two weeks.
To be as prepared as possible, we are asking that those people over 65 or who are immuno-compromised notify the town health department with your name, address, date of birth, telephone number and an email address we can reach you by to advise you if you qualify and how to obtain a vaccination. We will have a dedicated phone number and email address for this early next week and will post that information in our next CodeRED. All information provided will be kept confidential.
We are looking for retired nurses or other healthcare workers who have maintained their licenses to assist our vaccination efforts. Please contact our health department at 203 775 7315 or email us at rsullivan@brookfieldct.gov if you can assist.
POLICE TOY DRIVE
The police department is holding its annual toy drive now and you can drop off unwrapped toys this Saturday, December 12th at the parking lot in front of Five Guys/Kohl’s from 10 AM to 4 PM. Brookfield residents have always been very generous with this drive and we expect this year will be no different. You can also drop off toys at the Police Station if you cannot make it to the Saturday event.
BROOKFIELD RECOVERS
Residents have been incredibly kind since we started this fund to help residents but the pandemic and its effects are still a very real problem so please do consider donating to Brookfield Recovers. You can donate on line by going to the town website or you can send a check to town hall at 100 Pocono Road payable to the Town of Brookfield and mention Brookfield Recovers on the face of your check.
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.
TESTING SITES
The State has created a website showing locations where Brookfield residents can get tested for the virus:
HTTPS://www.211CT.org/covidtest/Brookfield
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.
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.
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.pdf