In Redding, Coronavirus Vaccine Rolls Out Slowly As Cases Rise

REDDING, CT — The state Department of Health is reporting an uptick in coronavirus-associated deaths in town since the start of the new year.

Three Redding residents have died from the virus so far in January, bringing the total number of fatalities to 13 since the pandemic began last spring.

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 began to climb sharply in Redding, as they did throughout the state, in November. Health officials have attributed this in part to an influx of out-of-state visitors and an increase in family gatherings over the end-of-year holidays.

There have been 363 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Redding to date.

In their most recent update on Jan. 21, the state Department of Public Health has reported two new cases of COVID-19, and no new coronavirus-associated deaths at assisted living facility Meadow Ridge.

On Monday, Gov. Ned Lamont warned that a new coronavirus variant, strain B.1.1.7, commonly known as the "UK variant," has been detected in four additional patients in Connecticut who recently tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total number of confirmed cases of the mutant strain in the state to eight, according to state health officials.

"This new strain, which is considered to be more easily transmitted, is spreading quickly throughout the world, and it's highly likely that these are not the only eight cases in Connecticut," Lamont said.

State health officials are currently in phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine rollout, inoculating the remnants of the phase 1a group (frontline healthcare workers, medical first responders, residents and staff of long term care facilities) and the new phase 1b cohort, those aged 75 and older.

Nationwide supply-chain problems have put a crimp in the distribution flow of the vaccine to Connecticut municipalities. The scarcity of the medicine led Lamont to amend the rollout early last week to refocus upon the most vulnerable in the population.

Redding is pre-registering residents 65 and older for the coronavirus vaccine through the town website. Information gathered through the pre-registration process will be used to expedite the process of vaccinating residents in the 65-74 group, once the next phase begins.

Those who are 75 and up and who do not have internet access can call the Redding Human Services Department at 203-938-9725 to register.

Redding is partnered with Bethel and the first clinics will be serving both towns at the Bethel clinic site located at the Bethel Track and Field Center behind the High School. The Health Department is in the process of systematically calling residents to set up appointments for those in the 75+ group for the Bethel clinics.

The town's by-appointment-only vaccination clinics will be held at the Redding Community Center. Scheduling for these clinics will start in mid-February.

The town-sponsored clinics are not the only places where residents may obrain the vaccine. Walgreens locations in Torrington, Litchfield, Thomaston, and Watertown are offering vaccine to those 75 and over, according to the Redding Health Department. Residents re advised to create a Walgreens account online and choose a location.