COVID-19 Cases Continue To Improve In Stamford: Mayor Martin

STAMFORD, CT — Mayor David Martin held his biweekly COVID-19 briefing on Tuesday, and indicated case trends and vaccination numbers are all heading in the right direction.

One year ago, Stamford was experiencing about 33 new COVID-19 cases per day. Now, according to Martin, there are 6.6 cases per day on a seven day average. That number translates to 4.9 cases per 100,000 per day; Martin has said getting under five cases per day was a goal of his.

Therefore, Martin announced that the indoor mask mandate in the city will be lifted, effective immediately. Masks will still be required in schools and in the Stamford Government Center, but businesses will have the option to enforce their own policies.

[To read more on the mask mandate being lifted in Stamford, click here]

In August, there were 26 cases per day, and Martin implemented the indoor mask policy as well as a vaccine mandate for city employees.

"We've seen a pretty good decline [in cases] since that time," Martin said.

As of Tuesday, there were four COVID-19 patients being treated at Stamford Hospital, with none in the Intensive Care Unit. Two weeks ago, there were 10 patients hospitalized.

"We're thankful for that. This line is moving down consistent with the number of cases," Martin added.

In Stamford Public Schools, cases are declining and starting to match the trend seen within the larger community, according to Acting Stamford Health Director, Jody Bishop-Pullan.

At one point towards the end of September, there were 34 COVID-19 cases reported in a week. Most recently, there have been 13, Bishop-Pullan said.

Martin said that trick-or-treating is allowed this year in Stamford. He urged parents and children to be safe, and he suggested wearing masks if gathering in small groups.

Bishop-Pullan praised the city's contact tracing team, which has exceeded state goals in terms of reaching out to cases and getting in touch with their contacts in a timely manner.

"The state wants 90 percent of COVID-19 cases and their close contacts called within 48 hours. We have 96 percent," Bishop-Pullan said. "We think that really helps keep the community safe."

On the vaccination front, Martin said the rates "continues to climb every week."

As of Wednesday, 78.8 percent of the total population in the city had received a first dose. Martin explained that the percentage translates to 89.2 of the eligible population when factoring in post-census numbers. Stamford leads all cities in Connecticut with at least 70,000 residents in vaccination rate, Martin said.

All city employees are required to get vaccinations, or submit to weekly testing.

On average, Martin said, 82 percent of city employees are reporting that they've been vaccinated, with managers, administrators, law department, dental, pay plan and city officials, and school crossing guards, leading the way at 95 percent.

The Stamford Police Department is last at just over the 60 percent mark.

Martin called the number disappointing.

"We would certainly like to see that higher, given their interactions with the public as well as with one another," Martin said.

Stamford Health is preparing for the vaccination of children ages 5-11.

On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration's independent advisory group recommended that the Pfizer-BioNTech application for Emergency Use Authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 5 through 11 be approved.

If all recommendations and approvals go as planned, Connecticut will begin administration of COVID-19 vaccines to children ages 5 through 11 on Nov. 4.

"Our plan at Stamford is to be able to start vaccinating kids between the ages of 5-11 starting Nov. 8," said Jonathan Bailey, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Stamford Health.

Bailey said Stamford Health expects to vaccinate "a couple hundred" young children per day. He stressed that the vaccine is safe, and that children will receive the correct dosage, which is less than other age groups have received. He encouraged parents to schedule appointments ahead of time.

For more information on COVID-19 testing and vaccinations in Stamford, click here.