DANBURY — COVID-19 case rates are rising further in the Danbury area, and one town said it’s partially because of travel and spread between families and kids.
Most towns in the Danbury area are in what the state considers the “orange” zone, which means they have averaged between 10 to 14 daily new COVID cases per 100,000 people over a two-week period.
Newtown, however, is the only area town in the “red” zone. This is the worst alert level and means the town has averaged 15 or more cases over the last two weeks. In Newtown’s case, the rate is 15.4, according to state data.
There are 73 other Connecticut towns under this alert level, up from 39 the previous week. The highly contagious delta variant has driven up cases in the state and country.
Newtown reported 60 cases from Aug. 1 to Aug. 14, with 18 of those cases being among people who have the vaccine, according to the local health department. Those who are vaccinated have mild or no symptoms, the health department said in a message to the community.
“Vaccination is still our top tool to minimize serious illness, hospitalizations and death,” the health district wrote. “We do know that vaccination is not 100 percent protective, as is the case for all vaccinations, but it’s very effective.”
Newtown and New Milford have not instituted indoor mask mandates, unlike surrounding communities, including Danbury.
Data isn’t available yet to show whether Danbury’s mask mandate has prevented cases from rising in the city. The mandate went into effect on Sunday, but the state data shows only cases reported as of last Saturday.
“I was hoping by instituting the mask mandate, I certainly could do something toward mitigating the numbers here in Danbury,” Mayor Joe Cavo. “I hope that the masks will prove that it does.”
Danbury and Bethel remain in the state’s “yellow” zone, which means their two-week case rate is between five to nine per 100,000 people. Danbury’s rate is 9.6, while Bethel’s is 9.7. Both towns’ rates increased from the prior week.
Newtown Health District has found 26 of its cases over the two-week period were related to travel for vacation, work or visiting friends and family.
Fifteen Newtown children tested positive, with five of those cases related to camp, play dates or child care, where the case spread between the kids, according to the department.
Cases have spread between families, too, with the total of 60 cases in 38 households. There are 39 of the cases within 17 households, Newtown’s data shows.
“Use great caution with family gatherings,” the health department said.
Newtown urged residents to wear a mask indoors, practice social distancing and continue hand hygiene. Residents shouldn’t be around others, even if they have mild COVID symptoms that resemble a cold or allergies.
“We have always cared for each other,” the health department wrote. “It’s who we are and it’s who we will be. There are community members who are particularly vulnerable and some who may have immune variability that isn’t even known. Let us please keep working together to keep our community healthy and strong.”
COVID testing sites were added this past week in Danbury because city officials were worried case numbers didn’t accurately reflect the spread of the virus.
“I still have that concern even until today,” Cavo said. “I will probably have that concern going forward because there’s always a lag in reporting.”
Wearing a mask, however, is a small sacrifice to make, he said.
“I would rather be careful and cautious,” Cavo said.
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Travel, spread between families rises COVID cases in Newtown as other towns’ rates increase - Danbury News Times
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