Easton First Selectman Frets Coronavirus 'Lack Of Cooperation'

EASTON, CT —Coronavirus vaccinations have begun for front line health care workers and nursing home patients as the town recorded its 227th case of COVID-19, but some residents are not cooperating with health care officials trying to track the spread of the virus, according to First Selectman David Bindelglass

The state tries to track the interpersonal interactions of anyone who was within 6 feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more through its contact tracing program.

"One thing which is disheartening is the lack of cooperation with contact tracers," Bindelglass posted to the town website. "We hear frequently that parents will not get symptomatic children tested or tell the contact tracers who their kids were in contact with. It is hard to imagine how we can successfully keep schools open without more cooperation. There should be no stigma nor bad feelings if you or your child tests positive or has been in contact with someone who tests positive. The important thing is to be truthful and honest which could hopefully minimize the spread, especially with the new variant, more contagious strain appearing in Connecticut."

The first selectman was referencing the significantly more contagious mutant strain of the coronavirus from the United Kingdom. Connecticut health officials confirmed Thursday that two state residents have recently tested positive for it.

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Most emergency services and many healthcare workers who live in town —including the first selectman himself — have received their first dose of the vaccine, Bindelglass posted to the town website.

"With the help of the Health District, we were able to efficiently vaccinate Police and EMS. It is still unclear how the next phase will progress," Bindelglass wrote. "The Easton Senior Center has reached out to our seniors, to prepare to get them vaccinated when the state rules, and supply make this feasible."

Bindelglass said there has been a significant increase in the number of people transported by local emergency medical services with coronavirus-related symptoms.

There have been three coronavirus-associated deaths in Easton since the start of the pandemic.

Statewide, the coronavirus infection rate was 6.28 percent on Thursday, and it increased to 8.46 percent on Friday. Hospitalizations increased by 22 patients up to 1,109, but the number has stayed mostly stable since early December. More than half of the 6,324 total deaths associated with coronavirus in Connecticut involve people over the age of 80.

Bindelglass will be hosting a "Brown Bag Discussion with the First Selectman" on Jan. 14 at 7:30 p.m., and is planning a program for new residents in February.