Good evening. This is First Selectman Jayme Stevenson with a COVID-19 update for Thursday, April 1st.
Today is a big day! All people 16+ are eligible to receive vaccine and folks with certain high risk medical conditions will now have vaccine priority. There are over 1 million people in this expanded age group so please be patient as you seek vaccine appointments. Only Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for folks aged 16 and 17. The Darien Health Department is hoping to partner with regional vaccine providers to organize a student vaccine clinic in late April or May. Currently, only Alliance District Schools are authorized to arrange for student clinics. Students aged 16 and 17 do not need to wait for dedicated student clinics…you can register beginning today through VAMS, the state’s Vaccine Enrollment Portal at https://dphsubmissions.ct.gov/OnlineVaccine or by calling 1-877-918-2224.
Darien Health Department vaccine clinics continue on Wednesdays and Thursdays at Darien Town Hall. Appointments for our local clinics must also be made through VAMS. Nearly 700 Darien teachers and staff will receive their second dose of vaccine this Saturday. Darien Clinics do not offer Pfizer vaccine at this time.
Vaccines are available at Grieb’s Pharmacy www.griebspharmacy.com , Walgreens www.walgreens.com/schedulevaccine, Stamford Hospital https://stamfordhealth.org, Yale New Haven Health www.ynhhs.org and at certain Stop & Shop Pharmacies www.StopandShop.com.
There have been 101 new cases and 1 hospitalization during the two-week period since March 19th… a significant increase over the prior two week period. Darien’s positivity rate stands at 3.95%. The state’s positivity rate is 4.45%. There are 1397 total cases from 885 unique households. Darien Public Schools report 28 active cases resulting in 289 quarantines. COVID spread through social gatherings and within households continues to be the predominant forums for transmission. Up to 40% of all cases in Connecticut could be the B.1.1.7, more highly transmissible variant.
If you or your children feel sick, please get tested and stay home until a negative test result is received. If you or a loved one received vaccine and had adverse post-vaccine event, please report your experience at https://vaers.hhs.gov/index.html. This information is also posted on the Town of Darien website.
You can find statewide COVID-19 data at www.ct.gov/coronavirus and town wide data at www.darienct.gov/covid19. Please visit www.cdc.gov for more information on travel recommendations and rules for folks who are fully vaccinated.
Your diligence in practicing all COVID safety protocols is more important than ever. Wear your masks, keep safe distances and wash your hands often.
Have a COVID-safe and Happy Easter holiday!