Since GOOD Morning Wilton published its last COVID-19 update, both Connecticut and Wilton passed somber benchmarks in the pandemic: the state recorded its 6,000th COVID-linked death sometime between Thursday, Dec. 30, 2020, and Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, while the total number of Wilton cases since the start of the pandemic has now topped 600.
Statewide specific COVID-19 numbers reported by Gov. Ned Lamont on the second day of the new year revealed that 104 new deaths were recorded as of Jan. 1, 2021, bringing the total number of COVID-19 fatalities to 6,099 since the pandemic’s start; the number of hospitalizations decreased by 80 to 1,056; and there were 4,412 new positive cases diagnosed (7.06% positivity rate) for an overall total of 190,120.
In Wilton, as of Jan. 1, 2021, 6 new cases over the New Year brought Wilton’s total to 608 cases since the start of the pandemic. Wilton’s total fatalities since the start remained at 45, with no new deaths recorded.
Since its surge peak around Thanksgiving, Wilton continues to work on lowering the spread of the coronavirus (seen above in the article’s main image). While November was Wilton’s worst month of the pandemic so far, with a total of 163 cases, December’s total fell to 132 cases.
Wilton’s effort is also apparent not only in its own two-week Average Daily New Case Rate (per 100,000 people) but compared to other towns. The state’s most recent town-by-town comparison map clearly shows Wilton standing out with better numbers than almost every other Connecticut town.
In her message to residents on the last night of 2020, First Selectwoman Lynne Vanderslice acknowledged the work Wilton residents have done to try to minimize the spread of COVID-19 within Wilton.
“We weren’t perfect, but we end the year with the knowledge that the spread of the disease in Wilton was half what it was in Fairfield County and across the state and the country,” she wrote.
Earlier in the week, she compared Wilton’s total case numbers to neighboring towns, showing the town at the bottom of the pack–a GOOD place to be, relatively:
Perhaps just as importantly, Vanderslice commended Wilton residents for their actions to support the community as a whole.
“As residents, you adapted and you did what Wilton does best. You focused your energies on helping others, including wearing your mask, keeping your distance, making record donations to the Wilton Community Assistance Fund and the [Wilton] Food Pantry, making masks for others, donating/delivering meals or gift cards to medical and emergency responders, shopping for Wilton seniors and those at high risk, turning out to cheer on our [Wilton High School] graduates and other countless acts of kindness. Thank you for supporting your community,” Vanderslice added.
Vaccine Data
Vanderslice also provided some numbers regarding the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine in CT.
“According to the Centers for Disease Control, as of 9 a.m. [on Dec. 30], 54,727 doses of the vaccine had been administered in CT. This represents 1.5% of residents. Only five states and the District of Columbia had a higher percentage of vaccinated residents. CT is still on track to complete Phase 1a vaccines by the end of January. An announcement by the Governor with additional details for Phases 1b and 1c is expected [the week of Jan. 4, 2021],” she wrote to residents.
Interstate Hockey Suspension Extended by Governors
Two days before the new year, Gov. Lamont joined his fellow governors of Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Vermont, and New Hampshire in extending the suspension of interstate youth hockey competitions for public and private schools and youth hockey leagues through at least Jan. 31, 2021.
The prohibition does not impact interstate collegiate, professional, or U.S. national team hockey activities, which will remain subject to existing health and safety protocols and/or restrictions.
The states had previously announced a regional suspension through at least Dec. 31, 2020, due to coronavirus outbreaks associated with interstate youth hockey activities and competitions. The joint announcement said that the states will reassess the need to continue restrictions on hockey or other interstate sports activities “as public health data continues to evolve.”
I would have much preferred to see the first select woman at least note the stark difference between Wilton and the surrounding towns of Danbury, Stamford and Norwalk which have infection rates twice or triple as much. And the record contributions to the Wilton community assistance fund and the Wilton food pantry. Everyone knows of course that poverty rates and food insecurity in neighboring towns are at least double. Nice to self-congratulate Wilton citizens for their support of Wilton people but it is insensitive and uncaring not to recognize and try to alleviate the plight of people on the borders when the numbers are staring you in the face. Reminds me of the “go home” chanting from Wilton students at the mostly Latino Danbury football game during the height of the 2016 election.