Glastonbury Weekly Coronavirus Update: Sept. 17 Edition

From the Town of Glastonbury:

September 17, 2020

Recent COVID-19 updates for the Town of Glastonbury are summarized herein.

Glastonbury COVID-19 Figures as of 9/13/2020
Note: Numbers in (parentheses) indicate a change from the previous week.

Per CT Department of Public Health (DPH) lab testing data available 9/13/20, 7,051 (+322) COVID 19 tests have been conducted on residents. Of those 7,051 tests, 356 (+5) are laboratory-confirmed positive and probable cases of COVID-19. This week’s results include data corrections for previous weeks. Data correction occurs if test results are not timely provided to DPH, require manual data entry, or need “cleaning” such as clarification of name or demographic data prior to entry into the disease surveillance database. Results are associated with the date of testing and deaths are tied to the date of death. Regrettably, 1 death was recorded for the week of August 31, increasing the overall loss of Glastonbury residents to 83 (+1). By gender, 202 (+2) female and 154 (+3) male, positive test results have been received. Testing of Glastonbury residents continues to increase across all age groups. The greatest number of residents tested remains the 50 - 59 year age group. As seen in recent weeks, the second most frequently tested age group is the 20 – 29 year age group, followed by the 60 – 69 group. The Glastonbury Health Department uses the state-required contact tracing system to follow up on positive cases in an attempt to minimize the potential spread of disease and number of new cases. Residents who answer honestly and share information during contact tracing calls can help prevent the further spread of COVID 19.

• View the Connecticut COVID-19 website, including resources & data points
• Latest COVID-19 Data on Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

* Data from DPH is considered preliminary and data changes as new reports are received and data errors are corrected. In an ongoing process of data assessment, DPH continues to modify how certain disease-positive lab results are considered, changing some previous counts. Probable cases of COVID-19 involve persons who have not had confirmatory laboratory testing (RT-PCR) performed for COVID-19, but whose symptoms indicate they are likely to have a COVID-19 infection. In Connecticut, most of the probable COVID-19 cases involve persons whose death certificates list COVID-19 disease or SARS-CoV-2 as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death. Prior to June 1, probable and confirmed cases were reported together.

WTML Reintroduces Saturday Hours - Beginning Saturday, Sept. 19

WTML is reintroducing Saturday hours starting Saturday, September 19th! All users must adhere to current CDC guidelines, including wearing a face mask/covering over the nose and mouth and maintaining a social distance of at least 6 feet. Services will be limited to borrowing and picking up holds. Access to the Children’s Department is no longer by appointment, but still at a limited capacity. A limited number of public computers are now available for a maximum of 1 hour per day per user up to twice a week. This is also by appointment only, by calling the Reference staff at (860) 652-7720. Due to social distance requirements, WTML staff are NOT available for one-on-one assistance so please bring a computer-savvy friend or relative if needed. Copy, fax, print, and scan service are also available with exact change required. WTML will not handle cash at this time.

Services that are NOT currently available include access to magazine and newspaper collections, study rooms, and meeting rooms. Seating throughout the library will not be available either.

Lastly, please return materials in the book drop only. Library materials quarantine for 3 days prior to coming off a patron's record. Please see the WTML website for more information.

Recycling Events with COVID-19 Guidelines

• Household Hazardous Waste Event – Sept 19 – Please observe special COVID-19 guidelines at this event, including remaining in your vehicle for drop off! Click here for more details.
• Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sale – Now – Oct 14 - Through a Town partnership with BrandBuilders, the Town is now offering its second Compost Bin and Rain Barrel Sales and Pickup event. Between now and October 14, residents may purchase these, and related items online for 50% off retail prices for pickup on Saturday, October 17. Learn more here.

Governor Lamont signs 70th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 including Fines

Governor Lamont signed his 70th Executive Order, which builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 9B enacts the following provisions:

• Modifies State Travel Advisory to expand testing exemption to all travelers who test negative for COVID-19 in the 72 hours prior to arrival. (Effective at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, 2020.)
• Authorizes the commissioner of Public Health, local health departments, municipal chief elected officers, and state and local Police to issue fines for violations of certain COVID-19 protective measures. These fines include:
  • $100 for any person who fails to wear a mask or cloth face covering
  • $500 for any person or business entity who organizes, hosts, or sponsors a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in the DECD Rules for Gatherings and Venues and Sector Rules for Outdoor Events
  • $250 for any person who attends a gathering that violates the gathering size restrictions set forth in the Gathering Rules linked above.

Reminders

• Records/Title Searching Workstations - Now in Meeting Room C in Academy Building
• Parks & Recreation 2nd Annual Doggy Paddle – Sunday, Sept. 20. Pre-registration is required. Details and registration at webtrac.glastonbury-ct.gov.
• Best Face Masks to use - Reusable cloth masks and Disposable surgical-style masks.
• Renter’s Rebate Program Now Open to Eligible Glastonbury Residents
• Legal Notices – Posted online until further notice at www.glastonbury-ct.gov/legalnotice
• Absentee ballot resources – www.glastonbury-ct.gov/absentee

Resources:

• Real-Time COVID Data & Charts - https://data.ct.gov/stories/s/...
• State of Connecticut COVID-19 updates - www.ct.gov/coronavirus
• Glastonbury COVID-19 updates - www.glastonbury-ct.gov/covid19
• Grocery services for residents in need. Click here to view options.
• Town Facebook Pages for Real-Time Updates - Click here to view all Town Facebook pages.

Sincerely,

Richard J. Johnson
Town Manager

This press release was produced by the Town of Glastonbury. The views expressed are the author's own.