Mask Mandate In City Buildings To Be Lifted March 2: Simmons

STAMFORD, CT — According to an announcement from Mayor Caroline Simmons' Office, effective at midnight tonight, the mask mandate in city buildings, such as the Stamford Government Center, will be lifted per the updated guidelines released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Simmons previously lifted the mask mandate for businesses on Feb. 16.

The Stamford Board of Education voted on Tuesday to lift the mask mandate at city schools.

Updated CDC guidance measures community spread based on COVID-19 hospital admissions, percent of inpatient beds occupied by COVID-19 patients and new COVID-19 cases in the county.

The new guidance is intended to focus on "reducing medically significant illness and minimizing strain on the healthcare system," according to the CDC. Fairfield County is currently considered low transmission, the announcement from Simmons' office said.

"We always believed it was important to follow the science in helping guide our decisions regarding COVID-19 guidelines, and we continue to do so," Simmons said in a news release. "As we look at the current data, we feel confident we are at a point now to lift the mask mandate in city buildings. I would like to sincerely thank all residents and employees for all their mitigation efforts thus far in following the recommendations to reduce risk in combatting COVID-19."

As of Feb. 24, Fairfield County had an inpatient bed utilization rate of 3.40 percent, 7.3 hospital admissions per 100,000, and a seven-day average of 11.78 cases per 100,000, according to a news release from the city.

According to the latest update from the city of Stamford, as of March 1, Stamford is experiencing 8.7 cases per 100,000 residents, down from a high of 334 cases at the height of the omicron spike in January.

The positivity rate stands art 3.42 percent, down from 38.61 percent in January.

"The city’s mitigation efforts and Stamford’s extremely high vaccination rate have contributed to these successes," Simmons' office said.

Within the guidance for low transmission, the CDC recommends the following actions:

1. Stay up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters (Up to date means that you have received all recommended COVID-19 shots, including boosters).
2. Improve airflow within indoor spaces by opening windows and doors, using air filters, etc.
3. Get tested if you are exposed to or have symptoms of COVID-19.
4. Follow CDC guidelines for isolation and quarantine if you are exposed to or test positive for COVID-19.

In addition, it is recommended that people with high risk for severe disease use rapid testing if needed and talk to their healthcare providers about treatment like oral antivirals.

"With the new tools at our disposal, including vaccination, testing, and treatment and recovery resources at Stamford Health, our residents are much better positioned to protect themselves from COVID-19, and receive care if they do get sick. I hope that all residents continue to think about their individual risk levels and take steps to protect themselves," said the city’s Medical Advisor Dr. Henry Yoon in a news release.

Simmons and city health officials continue to encourage residents to receive their COVID-19 vaccine and get boosted if eligible. Parents are also encouraged to vaccinate their children ages 5 and up.

"If you have not yet gotten the COVID-19 shot, now is the time to do so. We are here to answer your questions and help you protect yourself from COVID-19. I am cautiously optimistic about this new phase of the pandemic and will continue to follow the science to inform the city’s health recommendations," asserted Acting Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan in a news release. "I especially urge parents to vaccinate their children to protect them while they are in school and out in the community. And of course, you may choose to wear a mask for your own protection and to protect others around you who may be at higher risk of getting very sick."

Free COVID-19 vaccines are available throughout the city for all residents, regardless of immigration status or insurance.

An updated calendar of vaccine sites is available here on the city’s website. Testing sites are available here.