Connecticut
COVID cases in schools decline after small bump in Connecticut
After a small bump, COVID-19 instances declined within the final week in Connecticut faculties, however stay barely greater than the previous few months, figures from the state present.
Whereas COVID-19 infections have been rising throughout the state, there has not been a dramatic rise within the faculties, figures present.
The state reported on Thursday that previously week, there have been 1,182 instances amongst college students, down from 1,215 the earlier week. Of these college students who examined optimistic previously week, 284 weren’t absolutely vaccinated, in response to the info.
Amongst academics and workers, there have been 373 COVID instances, down from 385 the earlier week, figures present. All however 17 academics and workers had been absolutely vaccinated.
Whereas there was a slight week-over-week decline in instances, the variety of infections general amongst college students and academics and workers are trending greater than the previous few months when the figures hit lows of 647 instances amongst college students and 141 amongst academics and workers in late February and early March.
Connecticut’s general COVID metrics proceed to see an uptick. On Friday, the state reported a seven-day positivity fee of 6.51 % with 3,939 new instances amongst 60,505 assessments previously week. Hospitalizations have additionally been rising. In comparison with final week, there are 44 extra sufferers within the hospital with COVID-19 for a complete of 161 — nonetheless far decrease than peaks seen earlier this yr.
New reported deaths proceed to stay comparatively low regardless of an uptick in instances and hospitalizations. On Thursday, the state reported 14 folks had died previously seven days, one of many lowest figures in months.
Amid the uptick in instances, a number of state leaders have contracted COVID-19. Gov. Ned Lamont completed a five-day quarantine after testing optimistic final week. Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz, Lawyer Common William Tong and Treasurer Shawn Wood all examined optimistic for COVID-19 previously week.
Whereas it’s unclear the place every contracted the virus, Lamont warned there may be huge group unfold in Connecticut.
“Look, there’s group unfold on the market. And there’s group unfold particularly amongst of us that haven’t been contaminated earlier than. I believe you see that right here … I believe you see that throughout our area now,” Lamont mentioned this week.
Regardless of the latest uptick, state officers stay steadfast towards reinstating a broad masks mandate, opting as a substitute to permit folks to make the selections they really feel are proper.
When requested about masking necessities, Division of Public Well being Commissioner Manisha Juthani mentioned in an interview this week that they seemingly wouldn’t return.
“The explanation I say that’s as a result of, sadly for us, the general public is in a really totally different place than we had been two years in the past,” she mentioned. “Once you mandate one thing, the fact is, you then implement, and the way would we try this? Implementing a masks mandate, at this level, isn’t one thing our society, I believe, in my evaluation, is in a spot to completely settle for.”