Dramatic Coronavirus Case Spike In New London Prompts State Alert

NEW LONDON, CT — After a significant spike in coronavirus cases in New London, the state Department of Public Health has issued a COVID-19 alert for the city.

Health officials are advising citizens to "take extra precautions for the time being" by limiting trips outside the home, wearing masks anytime you leave home, avoiding indoor gatherings with those you don’t live with, and not attending large outdoor gatherings.

Between Sept. 20 and Oct. 3, New London recorded at least 115 new COVID-19 cases to raise the daily case rate to 30.5 per 100,000 population, one of the highest in the state. A similar alert was issued for Norwich last week.

“We are seeing increased levels of community transmission of COVID-19 in eastern Connecticut, and the amount of disease activity in New London is a real concern,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, MD MPH.

“We are working closely with the Ledge Light Health District and municipal officials, as well as those health care providers that have testing sites available for members of the community. We are urging anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to get tested as soon as possible and isolate if you test positive, and stay at home for 14 days if you have been exposed. If you are over the age of 60 or have a chronic disease and live in New London, you should stay home as much as possible.”

Gifford asked that employers take a role to help slow the spread.

“We need employers to help make sure everyone with symptoms or who was exposed is staying home and not coming to work," she said.

Gifford also noted that anyone who "needs resources such as food or financial assistance in order to stay home should call 211 because there are resources available."

She also stressed that people need to participate in contract tracing by picking up the phone.

"It is also very important to answer your phone if a contact tracer reaches out to you, so we can help you manage your exposure. We can limit spread of the virus if we all work together.”

Where and when to get a free COVID-19 test in towns throughout New London County

The following below testing locations are available in New London and the surrounding communities. COVID-19 testing in New London is free and no appointment is necessary:

Monday through Friday until further notice:
• Community Health Center, 1 Shaws Cove, New London – 8:30am-4pm

Thursday October 8:
• Groton Senior Center, 102 Newtown Rd, Groton – 9am-3:30pm
• New London Elks Club, 81 Washington St, New London – 9-11am

Friday October 9:
• Stonington Human Services, 166 S Broad St, Pawcatuck – 9am-3:30pm • New London Senior Center, corner of Brainard and Mercer, New London – 12-4pm • All Souls Church, 19 Jay St, New London – 8:30am-4pm

Saturday October 10:
• Jennings School, 50 Mercer St, New London – 10am-2pm

Sunday October 11:
• New London High School, 490 Jefferson Ave, New London – 12pm – 4pm

Wednesday October 14:
• New London Hospitality Center, 730 State Pier Rd, New London – 9am-1pm

• Stonington Human Services, 166 S Broad St, Pawcatuck from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm.

Saturday October 17:
• Oasis of Restoration Church, 35 Redding, New London – 10am-2pm

Monday October 19:
• George Washington Carver Apartments, 202 Colman Street, New London 9am-1pm • Williams Park Apartments, 127 Hempstead Street, New London – 9am-1pm

Wednesday October 21:
• Alliance For Living, 154 Broad Street, New London – 9am-1pm

Friday October 23
• Gordon Court, 40 Gordon Court, New London – 9am-1pm

Saturday October 24:
• Riozzi Court, 27 Riozzi Court, New London – 9am-1pm

For more information or any questions, reach out to the Ledge Light Health District at 860-448- 4882 or by email to Ledge Light Director of Health Stephen Mansfield smansfield@llhd.org