Latest Coronavirus Infection Rates In Shelton, Derby Above 20%

SHELTON & DERBY, CT — Coronavirus cases have been sharply rising in Connecticut for weeks, and the state’s positive test rate has remained above 20 percent since the beginning of the new year.

The number of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 has more than doubled in two weeks, up to nearly 1,800 hospitalized on Thursday, according to the state Department of Health.

Meanwhile, some school systems have had to temporarily close or modify schedules due to numerous quarantined staff.

Derby had 153.4 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 22.30 percent between Dec. 19 and Jan. 1, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 77 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period.

In the meantime, Shelton had 177.3 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 21.10 percent during the same Dec. 19 to Jan. 1 period. Shelton had 98.3 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.

Derby recorded 181 new coronavirus cases between Dec. 30 and Jan. 6, according to DPH’s preliminary data, while Shelton recorded 668 new coronavirus cases.

Around 84 percent of Derby residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Jan.5, according to DPH, compared to about 72 percent of Shelton residents who are fully vaccinated.