Westport COVID-19 Cases up 2, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 3.83%, Hospitalizations Up 22
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases are up 2, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 3.83%, and State hospitalizations were up 22.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,923 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.83% [up from 3.50%]
State Hospitalizations: 391 patients [+22]
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 7 over Weekend, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 3.50%, Hospitalizations Up 23
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases went up 7 over the weekend, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 3.50%, and State hospitalizations were up 23 over the weekend.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,921 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.50% [up from 3.13%]
State Hospitalizations: 369 patients [+23]
Don’t Forget your Mask: Mandate Begins Today
Westport’s mask mandate begins today for all indoor public spaces, including retail establishments, restaurants, gyms, workout studios or other businesses, as well as galleries, museums, performance spaces, places of worship and government buildings. Local business owners or managers may still require proof of vaccination for entrance, but a mask will also be required regardless of vaccination.
No New COVID-19 Cases, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 3.13%, Hospitalizations Up 2
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases remained the same today, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 3.13%, and State hospitalizations were up 2.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,914 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.13% [down from 3.37%]
State Hospitalizations: 346 patients [+2]
Superintendent: Mandated Vaccines for Public School Staff, Regular Lunch Program Returns, “Much, much more to come”
Westport Public Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice released an update today describing some changes or continuations for the upcoming school year. Some of the most important updates include a new State mandate for all public school personnel to be vaccinated against COVID-19, or maintain weekly testing - with vaccinated teachers able to remove their mask while teaching from the front of a classroom. The update also said students will be masked at least through the end of September, but that they will not have to wear masks outdoors. Scarice ended the comprehensive update by reminding families that “ you can anticipate additional updates in the coming days. These are some of the more salient district wide updates. Building principals will send further school-specific messages as we approach the first day of school. “
Click here to read the Superintendent’s full update.
Dear Westport Families,
I truly hope that this summer provided you and your family with much needed rest and relaxation. As the first day approaches on August 31 I want to inform families that there will be multiple updates to keep you apprised of our reopening plans. You can expect regular updates from my office, or from your child's building principal, in the coming days. Additionally, the reopening resource on our newly designed website (more on that next week!!) will be fully updated as the most recent guidance from the CT Department of Public Health (DPH) continues to unfold.
Although the outlook with regards to the pandemic is not as positive as it was in June, we will continue to work towards providing as much normalcy as possible for your child as they return to school. Like last year, we will approach matters in 4-6 week increments, while thoughtfully considering layers of mitigating measures.
We have learned a lot since we opened schools last year. While we have hoped that we would begin the year back to pre-pandemic practices, it is clear that we are not quite there yet. With high vaccination rates in our community, and a prudent approach, we can successfully begin the school year, and in consultation with our medical advisor, and our local and state health departments, we can roll back mitigating measures as the conditions permit.
The following are the most current practices in place for the first day of school:
Universal Masks/Face Coverings:
Masks will be required for all students and staff while in the school building and on the school bus. This continues to be an executive order, (Executive Order A13, Protection of Public Health and Safety During COVID-19), until 9-30-21 and is consistent with recommendations from both the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
Mask breaks will continue to be provided optimally when outside or students are spaced greater than 6 ft.
No masks will be required outside for recess or other outside activities.
Fully vaccinated teachers will have the opportunity to remove their masks during active instruction at the front of the classroom per DPH guidance.
Vaccines:
Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 13D on August 19, 2021. In short, all Pre-K-12 staff are required to have the Covid-19 vaccine. Any employees eligible for medical or religious waivers will be subject to routine testing.
Social Distancing:
Social distancing of 3 ft. will be implemented to the extent possible in the classrooms and other settings.
Lunch:
Return to pre-pandemic provision of school lunch services.
Additional seating will be made available at all levels (i.e. elementary, middle, high) during lunch in order to allow for extra spacing, including outside seating for students during lunch waves.
Visitors:
Visitors in the buildings will be limited to educational or school business needs. School visits need to be approved by the building administration.
Given the Governor's mandatory vaccination announcement Thursday, it is possible that visitors will be required to be vaccinated.
After School Activities:
After school activities will continue but will follow the spacing and masking guidelines.
Building Cleaning:
Routine and standard cleaning protocols will be in place. Surface transmission has been found to be minimal.
Hand Washing:
Hand washing will continue to be encouraged throughout the day and the extra sanitizer will be available throughout the buildings.
Quarantine Practices:
Quarantine practices will continue based on the guideline of being within 6 ft. for 15 minutes over a 24 hour period to a person who is positive for COVID-19.
Due to limited transmission in classrooms last year, the CDC has made an important exception for students in the classroom setting only. Students in the classroom where everyone is wearing a mask will only be quarantined if they were within 3 ft. of another student positive for COVID-19.
Vaccinated students and staff will not need to quarantine but will be asked to obtain a test within 3-5 days
Quarantine length will be continued as it was at the end of the school year and consist of a PCR or antigen test at day 5 or later and return on day 8 if the test is negative and the person is experiencing no symptoms. If no test is obtained the student or staff member will be able to return on day 10 if they are symptom free.
Students or staff positive for COVID-19 will need to isolate for 10 days from the start of symptoms or the date of the positive test and may return after the 10 days if they are symptom free.
Travel:
We will continue to recommend CDC guidance for travel both interstate and international.
Ventilation:
Ventilation includes HVAC systems that optimize the most air to be taken into the building. Merv 10-13 filters are used.
Supports for Students in Quarantine or Isolation:
Students needing to quarantine or isolate as a result of COVID-19 will receive certain educational supports while in quarantine.
At the elementary level, these supports will consist of access to essential assignments through Google Classroom, twice weekly scheduled contact with the classroom teacher, and twice weekly contact with support staff to assist in work completion.
At the secondary level, this will consist of access to posted assignments and communication with teachers via email as needed and, for quarantine periods extending beyond 5 school days, scheduled time with staff to support students during and after quarantine.
For students who are medically unable to attend school for a verified medical reason, the district will continue to implement its Homebound Instruction Policy 6173. Individuals with questions about this policy or procedure should contact Mr. Rizzo, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Services.
These supports will be revisited periodically, likely every 4-6 weeks, to determine if additional interventions are warranted based on the number of students requiring these services.
District COVID-19 Dashboard:
Our on-line COVID-19 dashboard will continue to be updated daily and available on our website.
What Can Families Do?
Obtain a vaccine for all those eligible 12 years of age and older.
Continue to complete a daily home screening to monitor students each morning for any signs of illness and anyone with signs of illness should stay home from school and contact your school nurse.
Please report any COVID-19 cases to our COVID -19 hotline at 203-341-1016 or email PositiveCovidReport@westportps.org
If a student has had close contact with a person with COVID-19 they should contact their school nurse.
Again, you can anticipate additional updates in the coming days. These are some of the more salient district wide updates. Building principals will send further school-specific messages as we approach the first day of school.
Much, much more to come,
Tom Scarice
No New Westport COVID-19 Cases, Deaths; State Positivity Rate 3.37%, Hospitalizations Down 4
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases remained the same today, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 3.37%, and State hospitalizations were down 4.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,914 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.37% [up from 2.99%]
State Hospitalizations: 344 patients [-4]
Mask Mandate Begins Monday for Westport, Easton, Fairfield; First Selectman: “it is undoubtedly necessary”
First Selectman Jim MarpeFirst Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following update today:
As a regional response to the spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant, effective at 12:01 AM on Monday, August 23, the Towns of Westport, Fairfield, and Easton have issued temporary town-wide mask mandates. Neighboring cities of Norwalk, Stamford, and Bridgeport currently have mask mandates in place.
Yesterday, Fairfield County was the fifth county in Connecticut to be moved into the “high transmission” category – the most severe level as defined by the CDC. Hospitalizations in Fairfield County are on the rise. The rise in case levels in Westport for the past two weeks will likely place the town into the “substantial transmission” or “red” category this week.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) strongly recommends that all residents over the age of two years, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, wear masks when in indoor public spaces. The Governor’s Executive Order No. 13A provides municipal leaders with the option of requiring masks in indoor public places within their respective towns and cities for all individuals, regardless of vaccination status. Indoor public spaces include retail establishments, restaurants, gyms, workout studios or other businesses, as well as galleries, museums, performance spaces, places of worship and government buildings. Businesses may still require proof of vaccination to enter, but a mask will also be required.
Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) Director of Health Mark Cooper stated, “The COVID- 19 vaccine is the most powerful tool against infection and severe illness, but the increasing number of breakthrough infections after vaccination are a reminder that no vaccine is 100% effective. As long as there continues to be cases of COVID in Westport, it is important to continue the use of the other tools at our disposal to reduce transmission such as masking when indoors and in large outdoor crowds, hand washing, social distancing, and limiting gathering sizes. This is particularly important as we approach the start of the new school year and to those young people who are unable to be vaccinated as they return to the classroom.”
Private social gatherings appear to be a growing source of transmission. Please reconsider social gatherings and be mindful of transmission that happens within the home. Keep gatherings to outdoors if possible and get tested, even if you only feel cold-like symptoms. Follow CDC guidelines for masking against the Delta and other variants. This advice is for everyone whether vaccinated or not.
I am grateful that Westporters recognize the importance of wearing masks and getting vaccinated. It is for our physical and mental health and safety that we remain vigilant, and at the same time, be respectful to others who may have differing opinions. We have come a long way in combatting this virus. While this development may seem like a step backward, it is undoubtedly necessary until the time comes when all have the capacity to be vaccinated and COVID-19 is a more manageable, non-life-threatening virus. We are stronger together.
Vaccine Booster
Yesterday, the President announced that it will be critical to administer “booster” vaccinations to continue to fight the pandemic. Please note that the general public will not be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine booster until after September 20th, and at that time, anyone receiving the booster will need to be at least eight months from their second vaccination. When available, additional information and instructions about the booster will be posted on the WWHD website, www.WWHD.org. For questions about COVID-19, including vaccine planning, call the WWHD at 203-227-9571.
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 3, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 2.99%, Hospitalizations Up 27
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases were up 3 today, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was down to 2.99%, and State hospitalizations were up 27.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,914 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 2.99% [down from 4.25% Friday]
State Hospitalizations: 348 patients [+27]
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 8, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 4.25%, Hospitalizations up 36
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases were up 8 today, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 4.25%, and State hospitalizations were up 36.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,911 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 4.25% [up from 3.55% Friday]
State Hospitalizations: 321 patients [+36]
Westport COVID-19 Cases Up 13 over Weekend, No Deaths; State Positivity Rate 3.55%, Hospitalizations up 26
The Westport-Weston Health District reports that Westport’s COVID-19 cases were up 13 over the weekend, with no deaths reported. The State’s daily test positivity rate was up to 3.55%, and State hospitalizations were up 26 since Friday.
Westport total positive or probable cases: 1,903 cases.
Westport total COVID-19 Deaths: 31 deaths.
State Daily Test Positivity: 3.55% [up from 2.68% Friday]
State Hospitalizations: 285 patients [+26]