COVID-19 Cases Flattening In Greenwich: Officials

GREENWICH, CT — COVID-19 cases in Greenwich appear to be flattening, according to officials, a welcome sign following the return of school and several big events in town.

First Selectman Fred Camillo and Dana Marnane, vice president of communications for Greenwich Hospital, held their weekly COVID-19 briefing on Thursday and indicated some positive trends.

As of Sept. 14, the total number of cases in town since the pandemic began was 5,652, which represents an increase of 49 from Sept. 7. Over that time period, active cases dropped by three to 55, and the positivity rate per 100,000 dropped by 4.6 to 12.8. Total deaths remained the same at 90.

At Greenwich Hospital as of Thursday morning, Marnane said there were nine COVID-19-positive patients being treated, with one patient in the Intensive Care Unit on a ventilator. Of the nine patients, eight are unvaccinated.

Across the Yale New Haven Health System as of Thursday, there were 98 patients being treated, down from 132 the week before.

"Here in town we've seemed to have been flattening out the last three to four weeks. We're definitely encouraged by that," Camillo said, pointing to high vaccination rates.

As of Thursday afternoon, 85.38 percent of the eligible population (52,482 people) have initiated vaccination. About 79 percent are fully vaccinated.

"The high vaccination rates are working and I think the policies and procedures in place are working. We have a few more big events coming up. Following the trends, it looks like this [wave] is hopefully not as long lasting. But things change and that's why we monitor everything, and so far so good," Camillo added.

With numbers improving, Camillo was asked how much those trends weigh into his decision to ease up on mask policies. Currently, masks are mandatory inside public places where social distancing isn't possible.

But fall is approaching, and colder weather could keep more people indoors.

"Last year at this point we were concerned about a second wave, but people weren't vaccinated last year. That has to factor into it," he said. "We're in a much better place than we were last year."

Camillo said many residents will exercise caution regardless of what policies are in place in the future.

"I know people who, whether there's a mask mandate or not, wear masks indoors. They may have a compromised immune system or are fearful, and that's OK. We're telling people you're more than welcome to wear that mask wherever," he said.