Greetings Greenwich friends and neighbors.
COVID Update
The decrease in the number of new COVID cases and hospitalizations continues. I hope that as many residents return from mid-winter recess, the trend will not reverse itself.
As of today, February 18, Greenwich Hospital was treating 7 COVID-positive patients. That is down from 10 patients a week ago. The COVID hospitalization rate in the Yale New Haven Health system was 74 patients today. A week ago, the system-wide patient count was 127.
Because of the mid-winter recess, updated numbers from Greenwich Public Schools are not available today. The Board of Education unanimously voted this week that the wearing of face masks in schools will become optional on March 1.
As of February 15, the total number of resident COVID cases among Town residents (since the pandemic began in March 2020) increased to 11,315. The number represents 88 new cases from a week ago, the smallest increase in several months.
As of February 17, the state Department of Health and Human Services reported that 118 residents have died since the beginning of the pandemic. Information on ages and vaccination status of the victims is unavailable.
As of February 17, the state Department of Health and Human Services reports that 94.79 % of Town residents have initiated the vaccination process. Here are the latest full vaccination rates as reported by the department, as of February 17:
Age 5 – 11: 50.02 % of 6,470 residents
Age 12 – 17: 95.21 % of 5,449 residents
Age 18 – 24: 96.28 % of 4,037 residents
Age 25 – 44: 76.46 % of 13,580 residents
Age 45 – 64: 85.64 % of 18,950 residents
Age 65 +: 96.08 % of 10,466 residents
Yale New Haven Health (YNHHS) continues to administer booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Fairfield County. All vaccinations are by appointment only. To find out which booster is available and to make an appointment, log onto the YNHHS website: www.ynhhs.org/covidvaccine. Information on testing – which is also by appointment only - can be found here.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is offering mobile vaccine clinics. Information on locations can be found here.
District 1 RTC Primary
Absentee ballots for the March 1st District 1 Republican primary are available in the Town Clerk’s office. You can also access an absentee application from the Town Clerk’s website here. You can vote in person at Greenwich Town Hall from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. March 1st.
Supporting Greenwich nonprofit & human service agencies
Next Thursday, February 24, is Fairfield County Giving Day – a day dedicated for local nonprofits' fundraising efforts.
The Greenwich Department of Human Services asks that you join their campaign and help them reach their goal of $10,000 and 100 donors. Human Services Commissioner Demetria Nelson says, “We need you to tell your friends and family members about the important work we do and ask them to join us in helping to make a difference.”
Beginning @ 12:00 a.m. February 24, visit Greenwich Department of Human Services Fund to make a donation. All giving will end at 11:59 p.m. on February 24.
Donations of $10 or more help all of our local organizations raise money and qualify for prize money. Click here https://www.fcgives.org/, search Greenwich, and so that you may give on Feb. 24.
Save the date
GREENWICH EMS GOES BACK TO THE ‘80s! Dust off your cassettes, put on your leg warmers, and tease your hair to celebrate Greenwich Emergency Medical Service’s 35th anniversary for an evening with dinner and dancing to the totally tubular band Jessie’s Girl & DJ April Larken. It takes place April 1 at 6 p.m. at Greenwich Country Club. Attendees are encouraged to wear casual yet festive attire. Tickets are available via www.greenwichems.org.
Presidents Day holiday
A reminder that Town Hall and all of our libraries are closed for the Presidents Day holiday on February 21. They all will reopen on Tuesday, February 22.
In honor of Presidents Day, I’ll end this week’s newsletter with this quote from President Nixon: “We cannot learn from one another until we stop shouting at one another - until we speak quietly enough so that our words can be heard as well as our voices.”
Best,
Fred