Coronavirus Infection Rates Rising In Shelton And Derby

SHELTON & DERBY, CT — Connecticut is in the midst of a coronavirus surge as cases have doubled from where they were two weeks ago.

Connecticut led the country for the largest percent increase in coronavirus cases as of Thursday., according to the New York Times. New Jersey, Rhode Island and Massachusetts were also in the top 10.

However, Connecticut ranks in the middle of the pack proportionally; there were 43 cases per 100,000 residents over the past seven days.

Shelton had 43.2 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 7.80 percent between Nov. 21 and Dec. 4, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 31.8 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period.

In Derby, there were 33 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 7.60 percent between Nov. 21 and Dec. 4, according to the state health officials. There were 17.4 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period.

It’s important to note that a few cases can have a large impact on a municipal case rate, especially for small towns.

Nearly all of Connecticut’s towns are now in the red zone for coronavirus infections, but some are far outpacing others for per capita infections. Plainfield had nearly 100 average daily cases per 100,000 residents over two weeks and a positive test rate of 14.5 percent; both indicators of widespread cases.

Shelton recorded 163 new coronavirus cases between Dec. 3-9, according to DPH’s preliminary data, while Derby recorded 40 new coronavirus cases during the same period.

Around 70 percent of Shelton residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Dec. 8, according to DPH.

In Derby, around 78 percent of residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Dec. 8, according to state health officials.