Shelton's Coronavirus Infection Rate Rises; Derby's Rate Falls

SHELTON & DERBY, CT — Connecticut’s coronavirus infection figures have been trending in the right direction lately, but health experts worry that the infection rate could rise as temperatures and humidity dip.

Shelton had 12.9 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 3.00 percent between Sept. 12-25, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 12.5 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period.

In Derby, the average daily case rate per 100,000 residents was 20.3, and a positive test rate of 3.90 percent between Sept. 12-25, state health officials said. There were 21.4 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.

Around 120 of Connecticut’s 169 towns had a lower case rate in the last two weeks compared with the previous two weeks.

Shelton recorded 35 new coronavirus cases between September Sept. 22-29, according to DPH’s preliminary data, while Derby recorded 17 new coronavirus cases during the period.

State Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said that the colder days ahead usually mean that respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus, have an easier time propagating. The hope is that cases only go up slightly thanks to Connecticut’s high coronavirus vaccination rate, she said.

Around 66 percent of Shelton residents were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus — in Derby roughly 69 percent of residents were fully vaccinated — as of Sept. 29, according to DPH.