COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Increase Again As Christmas Approaches In CT

CONNECTICUT — The state’s latest COVID-19 figures mirror a trend of growing case counts as Christmas gets closer.

The state reported nearly 4,300 weekly cases and a 12.79 percent positive test rate Thursday. There were nearly 500 more cases than the last seven-day reporting period. Cases are likely severely undercounted due to at-home test results going unreported.

Connecticut also reported 574 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 Thursday, which was a 59 patient increase from last Thursday and the highest number since Feb. 8.

COVID-19 isn’t the only virus stressing the state’s medical system. The flu continues to rage in Connecticut, according to state Department of Public Health data. There were nearly 4,000 flu cases between Dec. 11 and 17, which is the last fully-reported week of data. There were more than 5,300 reported cases in the prior week.

Two flu-related deaths were reported in the current week, and there have been 30 total deaths this flu season.

Fairfield County continues to be hit the hardest by flu with 983 cases per 100,000 during the current season. New London comes in second at 900 cases per 100,000 people.

President Joe Biden’s administration announced that states can request the antiviral Tamiflu from the Strategic National Stockpile if they need it, according to CNN.

On a bright note, RSV infections appear to have peaked in Connecticut, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. The five-week average number of detected cases has steadily marched downward since about mid-November.

Below are the town-by-town COVID-19 case counts for the past week. Alternatively, click here.