Norwalk Closing In On 8,000 Coronavirus Cases During Pandemic

NORWALK, CT — Norwalk reported two more deaths and another 41 new cases of the coronavirus as of Monday, bringing the city's death toll since the COVID-19 pandemic began to 193, and the case load during the period to 7,780, according to Mayor Harry Rilling.

The city remains one of Connecticut's red alert communities for the coronavirus, with a rate of infection at 78.5 cases per 100,000 people for the two-week period from Jan. 3-16, Rilling said. Norwalk's test positivity rate was 9.9 percent during the period.

To be included among Connecticut's red alert cities or towns, a community must have more than 15 coronavirus cases per 100,000 people.

"It saddens me to share news that we have lost two more of our residents to this virus," Rilling said. "My heart goes out to their families and loved ones. While many of us are optimistic about the light we are starting to see at the end of tunnel, please never lose sight that many in our community continue to grieve."

Gov. Ned Lamont offered new guidance Tuesday on the state's vaccine rollout, calling it a "tiered approach," which prioritizes people 75 years old and older and those most vulnerable. Unfortunately, Connecticut has about 1.4 million who qualify for the coronavirus vaccine under the latest phase, but only about 45,000 doses of the vaccine are on the way, according to Lamont.

"The demand for the vaccine greatly outpaces the currently available supply," Rilling said. "It is important that those who are at greater risk of adverse health outcomes are at the front of the line. I hope that in the days and weeks ahead that more vaccine will be made available. I will continue to advocate for more vaccine to ensure our higher risk residents get vaccinated."

The following is from Rilling's announcement:

• Free drive-thru COVID-19 testing is available daily 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Veteran’s Park and Norwalk Community College. Due to high demand, testing lines may be closed periodically during the day and there may be significant wait times. Cars should not park on neighboring streets as walk-up capacity is limited. Anyone seeking a COVID-19 test is advised to pre-register online at chc1.com.
• Additional free COVID-19 testing is available by appointment only at the Norwalk Community Health Center at Smilow Life Center located at 55 Chestnut St. Appointments are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 12 p.m. No doctor’s note or symptoms are required to be tested. A person does not have to be a Health Center patient to be tested. To make an appointment, call (203) 851-1065.
• Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare will be holding a food distribution event on Wednesday, January 20 at Calf Pasture Beach from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. The parking area at Calf Pasture Beach will remain closed to the public until 1 p.m. There will be a special area to accommodate those without a vehicle. Those who wish to use the beach can park at the Shady Beach parking area, entering from Canfield Avenue. The food distribution event will occur every Wednesday until further notice. To volunteer for this event, or a future event, visit ctfoodbank.org.