Stamford Officials Urge Residents To Consider COVID-19 Prevention Strategies

STAMFORD, CT — With COVID-19 cases once again on the rise, Stamford officials are urging residents to consider COVID-19 prevention strategies they may have discontinued.

"Data is showing clear increases in the number of COVID-19 cases in our residents," said Mayor Caroline Simmons in a news release last Friday. "I urge everyone to consider choosing to mask when indoors in public spaces, as well as getting vaccinated and/or boosted if they haven’t been yet. We can stop the rise in cases if we all take steps to protect ourselves and others."

For Fairfield County, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) currently reports a weekly rate of 203 COVID-19 cases per 100,000; nine COVID-19 positive hospital admissions per 100,000; and an inpatient bed utilization of 3.5 percent by COVID-19 patients.

These indicators have increased significantly since the prior week, and currently places Fairfield County in the medium transmission level.

According to the CDC, all eight counties in Connecticut are considered at high or medium transmission levels. The CDC Community COVID-19 Community Levels map provides thresholds for which certain prevention strategies – such as universal indoor masking – should be implemented. This system measures county levels of hospitalization and cases to take disease severity into account.

In medium transmission counties, the CDC recommends a combination of prevention strategies, including testing, wearing a mask, improving ventilation and staying up-to-date with vaccines.

These public health measures are even more critical for those individuals who are at high risk for severe disease from COVID-19. At high transmission levels, universal mask wearing is recommended. As a reminder, individuals aged 50 years old and above are eligible for a second booster shot four months after the first booster.

Additionally, all immunocompromised individuals 12 years old and above are eligible for a second booster.

"I strongly recommend that residents choose to mask when in indoor settings with other people. In addition, you may choose to self-test before and after gatherings, when traveling, and be sure to get tested when you feel symptoms or following an exposure to COVID-19," said Stamford Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan. "We know these actions make a difference in the rate of COVID-19 that spreads in our communities."

Free COVID-19 vaccines and boosters 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 and testing sites are available here. If you have questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, you can email the Department of Health at communityhealth@stamfordct.gov.