By Cathy Iino, First Selectman, Killingworth.
Hello, Killingworth–
Hope is in the air. In the last two weeks, Killingworth’s rate of infection per 100,000 fell from 30 to 19. Woohoo! And 21 percent of us have received at least one dose of the vaccine. The Connecticut River Area Health District will be holding special vaccination days for RSD17 teachers and Killingworth childcare workers starting next week. Things are going to start happening now . . .
Still, let’s keep our guard up along with our hopes. Killingworth’s cumulative total of confirmed COVID cases has reached 280, with another 22 probable cases. We are still in the highest alert level. A lot of people haven’t yet gotten the vaccine; we don’t know yet what risks the new variants pose; and although infection rates statewide are falling, they are still higher than they were last June. We have seniors, frontline workers, and people with underlying conditions that place them at special risk who have not been vaccinated. If we want our schools and businesses to fully reopen, we have to continue to practice social distancing, to wear masks, and to forgo big gatherings.
Connecticut is among the top states in the country in rate of vaccinations. If you travel out of state, remember the CDC travel recommendations on testing and self-quarantining.
As Andy Slavitt, the senior White House advisor on the COVID-19 response, said in one of Governor Lamont’s press conferences, “No matter what you are allowed to do . . . continue to be cautious. Just because you can put 200 people in a room doesn’t mean you need to put 200 people in a room.”
Walk-in clinic for veterans. The Veterans Administration is offering walk-in clinics to all enrolled veterans aged 40 and up, and essential workers of any age who are enrolled with the VA. The next clinic is schedule for tomorrow, Saturday, February 27, 8 am – 3 pm, Newington Campus, 555 Willard Ave., Bldg 2E.
Preregistration is not required; availability is first come, first served. Masks and social distancing are required, and the VA asks that you not bring anyone with you to the clinic.
New vaccination appointment schedule. As you have probably heard, the governor announced this week that appointments for vaccinations will open up further:
March 1, 2021: Expands to age group 55 to 64
March 22, 2021: Expands to age group 45 to 54
April 12, 2021: Expands to age group 35 to 44
May 3, 2021: Expands to age group 16 to 34
Note that the availability of the vaccine still depends on the supply coming into the state, so appointments may be for a number of weeks in the future.
Remember, if you have questions about COVID testing or vaccinations, you can call Town Hall at 860-663-1765, x220. Leave a message with your phone number, and someone will call you back.
Stay safe and carry on.
Cathy
