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GOVERNOR LAMONT ANNOUNCES FIRST CONFIRMED COVID-19 OMICRON VARIANT CASE IN CONNECTICUT

Connecticut Department of Public Health Opens Mobile Booster Clinics Across the State

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Connecticut. Sequencing performed at the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the presence of the variant.

The case involves a man in his 60s from Hartford County who developed mild symptoms on November 27. An at-home COVID-19 test was positive on November 29 and a subsequent molecular test was positive on December 1. A family member traveled to New York City between November 17 and November 22 to attend the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center. That family member developed mild symptoms on November 21, and on November 23 took an at-home COVID-19 test that delivered a positive result. The family member’s symptoms have resolved. COVID-19 testing on additional family members is pending. The affected individual and their family member are fully vaccinated.

“As I’ve been saying for the last several days, given the speed that this new variant has been spreading around the world and its positive identification in several states, we presumed it was already in our state and the information we received from the lab today confirms that fact,” Governor Lamont said. “This likely is not the only case of the variant in the state. That being said, I must urge everyone in Connecticut not to panic. While we are still learning more about this variant, our health providers are continuing to do their best to protect everyone. We have life-saving tools like vaccines and boosters available to fight this pandemic – including the Delta and Omicron variants – and I urge everyone to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and everyone around them.”

“I am so proud of the work of members of the state laboratory under the direction of Dr. Jafar Razeq and the Connecticut Department of Public Health epidemiologists under the direction of Dr. Matt Cartter and Dr. Lynn Sosa,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. “The isolate was found, sequenced, and confirmed as Omicron within one day. This team was able to complete case investigation in a timely manner. Given the number of states that have identified Omicron to date, it was only a matter of time before we identified it here in Connecticut as well. Although Omicron appears to be more infectious than the Delta variant, both affected individuals have had mild symptoms to date. It is reassuring as their immunity seems to be helping them fight off this infection. Vaccination and boosters are still our greatest offense. If we can keep people out of the hospital, reducing morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, it is still a win for vaccines in our society.”

Instructions on how to get COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in Connecticut is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health today also announced that it has opened mobile COVID-19 booster clinics throughout the state. The department continues to urge residents to receive booster doses at their earliest convenience.

The mobile booster clinics are currently operating in the following locations:

• New Haven: New Haven Public Library, 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm – No appointment needed
• Stamford: Jackie Robinson Park, 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm – No appointment needed
• Trumbull: Trumbull Mall, Friday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm – No appointment needed
• Waterbury: 910 Wolcott St, 9a-3p Saturday and 8a-12p Sunday – No appointment needed
• Windsor Locks: Bradley Airport, Thursday through Sunday, 11am to 7pm – No appointment needed

For a full list of walk-up clinics sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, visit portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-van-clinics. In addition to the multi-day clinics, there are many single day pop-up clinics across the state.

(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced the first confirmed case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in Connecticut. Sequencing performed at the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory confirmed the presence of the variant.

The case involves a man in his 60s from Hartford County who developed mild symptoms on November 27. An at-home COVID-19 test was positive on November 29 and a subsequent molecular test was positive on December 1. A family member traveled to New York City between November 17 and November 22 to attend the Anime NYC 2021 convention at the Javits Center. That family member developed mild symptoms on November 21, and on November 23 took an at-home COVID-19 test that delivered a positive result. The family member’s symptoms have resolved. COVID-19 testing on additional family members is pending. The affected individual and their family member are fully vaccinated.

“As I’ve been saying for the last several days, given the speed that this new variant has been spreading around the world and its positive identification in several states, we presumed it was already in our state and the information we received from the lab today confirms that fact,” Governor Lamont said. “This likely is not the only case of the variant in the state. That being said, I must urge everyone in Connecticut not to panic. While we are still learning more about this variant, our health providers are continuing to do their best to protect everyone. We have life-saving tools like vaccines and boosters available to fight this pandemic – including the Delta and Omicron variants – and I urge everyone to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves and everyone around them.”

“I am so proud of the work of members of the state laboratory under the direction of Dr. Jafar Razeq and the Connecticut Department of Public Health epidemiologists under the direction of Dr. Matt Cartter and Dr. Lynn Sosa,” Connecticut Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. “The isolate was found, sequenced, and confirmed as Omicron within one day. This team was able to complete case investigation in a timely manner. Given the number of states that have identified Omicron to date, it was only a matter of time before we identified it here in Connecticut as well. Although Omicron appears to be more infectious than the Delta variant, both affected individuals have had mild symptoms to date. It is reassuring as their immunity seems to be helping them fight off this infection. Vaccination and boosters are still our greatest offense. If we can keep people out of the hospital, reducing morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, it is still a win for vaccines in our society.”

Instructions on how to get COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters in Connecticut is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health today also announced that it has opened mobile COVID-19 booster clinics throughout the state. The department continues to urge residents to receive booster doses at their earliest convenience.

The mobile booster clinics are currently operating in the following locations:

• New Haven: New Haven Public Library, 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm – No appointment needed
• Stamford: Jackie Robinson Park, 7 days a week, 10am to 4pm – No appointment needed
• Trumbull: Trumbull Mall, Friday to Sunday, 11am to 3pm – No appointment needed
• Waterbury: 910 Wolcott St, 9a-3p Saturday and 8a-12p Sunday – No appointment needed
• Windsor Locks: Bradley Airport, Thursday through Sunday, 11am to 7pm – No appointment needed

For a full list of walk-up clinics sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Public Health, visit portal.ct.gov/vaccine-portal/DPH-van-clinics. In addition to the multi-day clinics, there are many single day pop-up clinics across the state.

This press release was made possible by:

#STRATFORD – Mayor Laura R. Hoydick has announced that the requirement for wearing face masks for all staff and visitors to all town buildings and facilities regardless of COVID-19 vaccination status is being reinstituted effective with the start of business on Monday, December 6^th, 2021.  Employees and visitors will be required to wear masks at all times in common areas. 

The Mayor has announced the change in consideration of a statewide spike in COVID-19 transmission with 134 of the state’s 169 towns and cities including Stratford back in the “red zone” this week as calculated by the State Department of Health.  The “red” characterization applies to towns and cities with a transmission rate of 15 new cases per 100,000 people or higher during a given two-week period.   

The face mask requirement will apply to all town buildings, including but not limited to Town Hall, the Baldwin Center, South End Community Center, Birdseye Municipal Complex, as well as the Police and Fire Departments. 

“With another statewide spike in COVID transmission upon us we are putting this mandate in place as an added precaution, particularly during the Holiday season, to guard against transmission,” said Mayor Hoydick.   

Mayor Hoydick noted that for those wishing to be vaccinated there are many available options from local health departments, pharmacies and hospitals. 

The Mayor also noted that individual businesses remain, as they have throughout the pandemic, able to set their own individual policies about mask use in their place of business for employees and patrons. 

This press release was made possible by:

2021-12-04@1:00pm–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic– Unusual activity continues at the northbound Fairfield rest area on I-95. A wrecker towing a vehicle that pulled into the rest area and the vehicle fell off and is now on it’s side. Bud’s Towing called to get the job done correctly.

2021-12-04@11:51pm–#Fairfield CT– #cttraffic– A wheel came off a car traveling on I-95 striking other cars on I-95 southbound near and at the rest area. Radio reports say there are at least 4 cars involved.

2021-12-04@9:20pm–#Bridgeport CT–A thirty-seven year old man was shot in the torso behind the new apartments on West Liberty and West Avenue in Bridgeport around 9:45pm Friday night.  He was transported to the hospital where he died from his injuries. Police are looking for a black sedan that sped from the scene.

2021-12-03@10:24pm–#Bridgeport CT– A person was stabbed in the 900 block of Connecticut Avenue and transported to the hospital. The extent of the their injuries are not known at this time.

This news report is made possible by:

SOUTHPORT – On Small Business Saturday, Senator Tony Hwang (R-28) toured the Southport village shopping scene which was highlighted by a stop at the Fairfield Women’s Exchange (FWE) on Pequot Avenue.

FWE is a local not-for-profit operation which is part of a near 190-year tradition and mission of empowering women artists and entrepreneurs by providing a charming space where they can showcase and offer their beautiful heirlooms, crafts, knitting, paperieres, and clothing. The organization is run by volunteers who give of their time and talents to serve the mission of helping others. The entirety of their net proceeds go to charities which promote the mental health of women and children.

Sen. Hwang said, “In picturesque Southport village, shoppers will find one-of-a-kind, high quality gifts for loved ones. FWE showcases and financially supports various forms of art and helps the creators help themselves. Since 1962, the Fairfield Women’s Exchange has been dedicated to the concurrent mission of donating proceeds that promote the mental and physical well-being of women and children as well as providing assistance to those striving to positively remake their lives. It is a win-win proposition that perfectly aligns with the holiday season of gift giving and charity for those in need.”

FWE President Debby Kouzoukian and Vice President Donna Cahill stressed the importance of their two-fold mission and that shopping small not just on “Small Business Saturday”, but every day. 

“Small business Saturday is an important day for the Exchange. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to expose our shop to the broader community. As a nonprofit, increased awareness of what we do in the community as well as the wonderful products that we sell, certainly helps us to achieve our mission to support women and children in Fairfield county. We’ve been giving back to the community since 1962 by supporting not only the artisans that make many of the items we sell, but also the organizations such as Emerge, Homes for Hope, and Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigration,” said Deb Kouzoukian. 

The handmade and local goods offered include: handmade oyster shell Santa ornaments, handmade cards, handmade Name trains for children, birth plaques, handknit sweaters, hats, blankets and booties.  Home décor, jewelry, face masks and mask chains.  Monogramming is also done by a local Fairfield Mom. In addition they have an antiques department that consigns wonderful antiques from local families looking to sell their heirlooms. There’s something for everyone at FWE.

Currently, the Exchange has 50 volunteers and welcomes anyone who would want to get involved. For more information go to https://thefairfieldexchange.com/

2021-12-03@8:22am–#Fairfield CT– A car was stolen from a Howard Street driveway overnight.

This news report is made possible by:

(Westport, CT 12/2/2021) On December 2, 2021, at approximately 11:50 a.m., Westport Police officers responded to 1365 Post Road East, Ulta Beauty, on a report of a larceny. Store employees stated that three individuals entered the store, placed merchandise into bags that they were carrying, and then allegedly left the business without paying for any of the items. All three individuals were last seen running towards Old Road – presumably to a waiting car. A short time later, the suspect vehicle crashed on I-95 and four people reportedly ran from the car into the Saugatuck section of Westport. Officers immediately set up a perimeter and called for the assistance of a State Police K-9. The area was methodically searched, and three of the four suspects were located and taken into custody on Treadwell Avenue. If there was in fact a fourth person involved, it is believed that party has since left the area. At this time, the three people arrested are in the process of being positively identified and charges are pending. This release will be updated when that information becomes available.

This press release was made possible by: