#Middlebury #COVID #Coronavirus #Phase2.1
By MARJORIE NEEDHAM
After Connecticut entered Phase 3 of its reopening plan on October 8, 2020, the state’s number of confirmed COVID-19 cases began to rise. The increase in cases doesn’t seem to be limited to Connecticut. Every state in the country is experiencing a rise in cases, some much greater than what is being seen in Connecticut.
In response to the rise in cases, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont created a partial rollback to a new phase he designated as 2.1. That phase went into effect Friday, November 6, with some exceptions for gatherings over the November 7 and 8 weekend.
This newspaper has been following and reporting the state department of health data on COVID-19 since they were first issued in March. Initially, reports were issued daily; now they are issued Monday through Friday. The numbers are posted on the newspaper’s website, bee-news.com, on weekdays, usually a little after 4 p.m. They also post on the newspaper’s Facebook page.
Middlebury had entered the month of March with zero COVID-19 cases and ended that month with 7 cases. At that time, the state had not yet started separating cases into “Confirmed” and “Probable.” The numbers for the past three months follow.
On September 1, Middlebury had 51 confirmed cases; on September 30, it had 55, for an increase of 4 confirmed cases in one month.
On October 1, Middlebury had 54 confirmed cases (rather than the 55 on September 30, likely a data correction). By October 29, the number of confirmed cases had risen to 84, an increase of 30 cases in one month.
On November 1, Middlebury had 94 confirmed cases (again, likely a data correction). As of November 23, Middlebury had 150 confirmed cases. In just over 3 weeks, cases increased by 56.
During Phase 3, Middlebury First Selectman Edward B. St. John continued to urge residents to be vigilant so he would not have to order a return to shutdowns. However, by October 30 his weekly message to residents noted an uptick of COVID cases had moved Middlebury to the red level, the highest designation on the state map, putting it among the towns with 15 or more new cases per 100,000 population over a two-week period. He asked residents to reduce the number of trips to stores and other large gathering places, engage in more outdoor activities and try to shop and dine locally.
On November 6, St. John announced the state’s implementation of Phase 2.1 protocols. He again urged residents to remain vigilant and take precautions to keep themselves and their families safe.
He also announced a new COVID testing center opened by Griffin Health at Quassy Amusement Park on Fridays between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. No appointment is needed, and results are available in 24 to 48 hours. (Please note St. John said in his November 20 message to residents that the testing center had become overwhelmed. He asked residents to go there only if they had symptoms or had been in contact with someone who tested positive.)
On Friday, November 13, St. John announced the following protocols had been put in place due to the increase in COVID cases:
- All town meetings shall be via Zoom. Check middlebury-ct.org for meeting login codes.
- The Town Hall is open during regular business hours by appointment only. Residents are encouraged to conduct business online. The town website lists telephone and email information.
- All Park and Recreation programs have been suspended until further notice.
- The Senior Services programs held at the Shepardson Community Center are suspended until further notice.
- Senior services and the food bank will continue by appointment.
Again, St. John urged residents to use extra diligence and common sense so they wouldn’t contract the virus. “Sadly, most of us know someone who has contracted the virus. It shows no favoritism or mercy,” he wrote. In a telephone interview November 25, he said he urges residents to socially separate, wear a mask and practice proper COVID hygiene.
On November 16, Library Director JoAnn LoRusso announced the library was no longer allowing patrons inside, but would offer materials through its ongoing curbside pickup. The rollback to Phase 2.1 on November 6 reduced the capacity for some, but not all, indoor and outdoor gatherings and also limited the number of people allowed at each table in a restaurant. It allowed libraries and personal services to remain open under Phase 3 guidelines. The Southbury Library has remained open; the Woodbury Library stopped inside access. A call to LoRusso asking why the Middlebury Public Library stopped offering inside services has not been returned.
