2021-01-08 CoronaVirus Update #41
To: All residents
From: Steve Dunn, First Selectman
COVID CASES IN BROOKFIELD
As of yesterday, Thursday the 8th of January, Brookfield remains in the Red Zone.
COVID CASES IN BROOKFIELD
As of yesterday, Thursday the 17th of December, Brookfield remains in the Red Zone.
In the last two weeks reported (ending on Saturday, January 2nd) we have had 132 new cases of the virus in Brookfield. That moves our rate per 100K residents to 55.5. Positivity rate in Brookfield is now 10.0%, up from 9.3% last week. We remain with a total of 14 residents lost to the virus. We continue to urge everyone to wear masks, limit your contact with others including close family that reside outside your immediate household, practice social distance, wash your hands often and go out only when necessary.
VACCINATION OF RESIDENTS
The State plan for vaccinating residents has not been fully completed. Right now, the State has approved vaccinating Group 1a, which is comprised of those who qualify as First Responders, essential healthcare workers, and residents of long-term care and assisted living facilities. The next group to be vaccinated under the current State protocol are those who are over 75 years of age or those who are immuno-compromised. This is subject to change.
For those who qualify, The Federal Government has created a system called VAMS that will allow you to register and get an appointment to receive the vaccine. As of now, all appointments for the vaccine can only be made online via this system. Once you have sent us your information on the town form, we will send you an email with the link to register and make an appointment when you are eligible. When you make an appointment it will create a document to print and bring to your appointment.
We are asking all Brookfield residents over the age of 65 or immunocompromised to sign up on our Town website at https://brookfieldct.seamlessdocs.com/f/COVIDVaccine
There is no need to register more than once.
For those who do not have internet access, we recommend you ask a neighbor or family member to assist you as you will need an email address to register with the VAMS system. If you have no one available, we will have limited volunteers available by appointment in the coming days. The number for the town hall COVID line is (203) 775-7314.
Here is where the town needs our community to assist. We know there are a number of people in town who do not have email addresses or access to a computer. If you have a neighbor or friend or know of someone who might qualify who needs assistance, please help them by filling out the form on the town website or have them contact town hall at the above number and we will assist them. It is particularly important that we get a phone number to reach them so we can register them on the VAMS system.
We ask the community to please check the town website frequently as that is where the most current information will be posted on the State Vaccine Program and availability. There is also a list of frequently asked questions on the website which will be updated regularly.
Given the delays in the roll out of the actual vaccine, we do not expect to be able to administer the vaccine to this first group of residents before the end of January.
Register for Brookfield’s Covid-19 Vaccination interest list if you meet the criteria of over the age of 65 or immune compromised.
https://brookfieldct.seamlessdocs.com/f/COVIDVaccine
or call: 203-775-7314
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, remain into full remote mode. They plan to return to in school on January 19th. More information is available on the school website.
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