Weekly Glastonbury Town Manager Coronavirus Update: Oct. 22

From the Town of Glastonbury:

October 23, 2020

Glastonbury COVID-19 Figures as of 10/18/2020
Note: Numbers in (parentheses) indicate a change from the previous week.

PLEASE NOTE! The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) manages all COVID-19 test results statewide, and many individuals are now getting tested for COVID-19 multiple times as a result of employer mandates, travel safeguards, etc. Last week, the Glastonbury Health Department conducted a more in-depth analysis of the complex DPH dataset and identified a disparity that will affect all weekly reports going forward. The DPH database associates positive test results for each individual with the date their first test was performed, which is typically the date that individual was first recorded in their system. For individuals who have been tested multiple times, this can create a disparity between the date of their first test, and the date their positive test was conducted.* To address this disparity, GHD has modified its data analysis and reporting process and, for this report and all that follow, the dates associated with positive cases will now reflect the date the positive test was conducted. Please note, this means that weekly reports issued on or after October 23 will NOT be directly comparable to reports generated previously. We apologize for any confusion this may cause, but believe this process correction will provide more accurate reporting.

*Example: John Doe has his first COVID-19 test on March 20 and receives a negative result. He has several more negative tests over the following months, and then tests positive on September 1, 2020. Unfortunately, the DPH database would tie the positive test result to March 20, (the day he was setup in their system), rather than September 1, the date of the positive test.

As per CT Department of Public Health (DPH) lab testing data available 10/18/20, 9,173 (+559) COVID 19 tests have been conducted on residents. Of those 9,173 tests, 404 (+13) are laboratory-confirmed positive and probable cases of COVID-19. No additional resident deaths were recorded this week. By gender, 232 (+8) female and 172 (+5) male, positive test results have been received.

• 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.

New Color-Coded Map

The state of Connecticut has developed a new Town Alert System and color-coded map to report COVID-19 rates by population. Grey communities have the lowest number of cases per 100,000, followed by yellow, orange, and red with the highest concentration. As of 4:00 pm on Thursday, October 22, Glastonbury is Grey with less than 5 cases per 100,000. To help prevent further spread and sustain existing opportunities for socialization, please continue to wear your mask, limit in-person gatherings, and observe all CDC guidelines. The map will be updated weekly and is available on the state website at https://portal.ct.gov/coronavi.... An update will be provided if Glastonbury’s status (color) should change.

Upcoming COVID-friendly Halloween Programs/Events

• 10/24 (Saturday) - TCI Food Drive @ the Fountain Green - 9 - 11am to benefit the Glastonbury Food Bank. TCI will bring their Halloween inflatables for their smallest patrons’ enjoyment. Click here for more information.
• 10/26 (Monday) - Trunk or Treat Drive-Thru at RCC - 1:00 - 2:30 pm. (Rain date: Thurs. Oct. 29). (Please note - registration date has passed for this event)
• 10/30 (Friday) - A Howling Sing-A-Long with Dr. Uke; 2 - 3 pm. Sing along to songs like “The Monster Mash” or snap your fingers to “The Addams Family” - wear your favorite mask for a snap shot photo. To register, please email diana.paterson@glastonbury-ct.gov or nicole.mercer@glastonbury-ct.gov or call (860) 652-7638 (Email required for registration.)

Click here to review state of CT Halloween guidance during the pandemic.

Resources:

• State of Connecticut COVID-19 updates - www.ct.gov/coronavirus
• Glastonbury COVID-19 updates - www.glastonbury-ct.gov/covid19
• State Town Alert Map: https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus/covid-19-data-tracker
• 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.