| By Cathy Iino, Killingworth First Selectman.
Hello, Killingworth—
Killingworth has reached a COVID milestone: we have had 200 confirmed cases in town. That number rose slowly through last summer but has spiked since the fall. Our rate of infection also continues to rise; for the last two weeks, it was 63.9 cases per 100,000.
COVID vaccines have started flowing in the state, and Connecticut is one of the top five states in the percent of our population that has already been vaccinated. But let’s be clear: vaccinating a significant portion of the population will take months. As Governor Lamont said in his press release announcing the next phase of eligibility for vaccination, some 1.3 million residents are now eligible to receive the COVID vaccine. For the near future, the state expects to receive about 44,000 doses each week. At that rate, it will take more than half a year to “get vaccine into the arms” of just those in Phase 1b. We hope the flow will increase as new vaccines are approved and distributed, but now is not the time to let down your guard. Please continue to wear your mask and keep your distance from those outside your household.
The next phase of Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will begin on Monday, January 18. More details are to come on how those eligible under Phase 1b will be vaccinated. For now, priority has been given to one of our most vulnerable populations. Residents over the age of 75 can now begin to schedule their appointments to receive vaccine.
If you are aged 75 or older, you can sign up for the vaccine
- Online. Go to the state portal and click on Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS) . You will need to have your own, individual email address to sign up.
- By phone. If you do not have Internet access, or there are other barriers preventing you from using the online scheduling system, call the Vaccine Appointment Assistance line: 1-877-918-2224. The line will be open Monday through Fridays from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. (If you can use the Internet, that will be faster.)
- In response to contact by your healthcare provider. A list of participating providers is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine. Residents are urged not to contact their physician or healthcare provider directly for COVID vaccine appointments.
Killingworth coronavirus information line. If you have questions about vaccinations and are having trouble getting through to the state, call 860-663-1765, x220, and leave a message. A town staff member or volunteer will call you back.
May we all find the patience and perseverance to stay safe and carry on.
Cathy |
