It's OK To Trick-Or-Treat In Stamford This Year: Mayor Martin

STAMFORD, CT — After discouraging trick-or-treating last year due to COVID-19, Mayor David Martin gave the green light to Stamford residents for this Halloween.

Martin gave his bi-weekly COVID-19 update on Tuesday night, and indicated some positive case trends in Stamford. He said masks are recommended for outdoor trick-or-treaters participating in small groups, but they're not required.

Martin also reminded residents to practice reasonable precautions, such as avoiding large groups and indoor gatherings, and utilizing Personal Protective Equipment and sanitizer when possible,

The Latest Numbers

According to Martin, Stamford is currently averaging 10 new COVID-19 cases per day. Last year at this time, there were about 30 new cases per day.

"The trend line is moving down, which is very good," Martin said.

This past August, after a lull in June into July, cases peaked at 26 per day. Martin pointed to several vaccination and masking mandates in August as a potential factor for the decline in the last two months.

"I don't know that it has truly caused an effect, but this stronger approach to mask mandates and vaccinations has [led to a declining case] trend here," Martin said, adding that if Stamford continues to cut daily cases, the indoor mask mandate could be relaxed in coming weeks.

"Get your COVID shot. When you're indoors particularly with people you don't live with, wear your masks. Let's drive this number down," Martin said.

As of Tuesday at Stamford Hospital, there were 10 COVID-19 patients being treated, with three in the Intensive Care Unit, Martin said.

According to Jody Bishop-Pullen, the Acting Health Director for Stamford, Stamford Public Schools had 20 new COVID-19 cases last week.

"That's a little bit down. We're seeing it start to come down a little bit from where we began at the end of August, beginning of September," she said.

Overall in the district, there have been 170 cumulative cases this school year.

Vaccination Rates

On the vaccination front, Martin reported strong numbers for Stamford.

"Every week we continue to see a slight rise," he said.

As of this week, according to state data, 78 percent of the total population in Stamford has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, which translates to about 88 percent of the eligible population.

Martin stressed that the data is based on old census numbers and doesn't reflect the recent change in population throughout the city, so the vaccination rates are actually higher than what's reported. Along with initial vaccinations, Martin encouraged residents to get booster shots if they're eligible, as well as the flu shot.

Martin gave an update on the city employee COVID-19 vaccination rate. He had issued a mandate that all city employees must get vaccinated or submit to weekly testing.

As of Oct. 12, 1,347 out of 1,646 (81.3 percent) of all Stamford employees (full-time, part-time, seasonal) reported that they are fully vaccinated. Those who don't get vaccinated must submit to weekly testing, and those who don't comply will face discipline, Martin said.

Martin said the Stamford Police Department has the lowest vaccination rate of any employee group in the city at just over 60 percent.