MONROE, CT —Monroe is averaging nine new COVID-19 cases per day, as the rate of infection rose slightly. The town’s two-week case rate is now 46.2 cases per 100,000 population.
“High infection rates continue throughout the state,” First Selectman Ken Kellogg said in an update on the pandemic Friday. “Our total number of cases in Monroe as of yesterday is 842 — confirmed and probable since the beginning of the pandemic.”
The first selectman reminds residents that free drive-through testing starts at Masuk High School on Jan. 20 and will continue every other Wednesday. The hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the gates open at 9:45 a.m.
For information, or to complete registration paperwork in advance, click here.
On Thursday, Connecticut made vaccinations available to those age 75 and older. Registration information is posted on the town website.
“Monroe seniors over age 75, who have fully completed the Vaccine Administration Management System enrollment process, can call our Senior Center at 203-452-2815, extension 1, for information on upcoming clinics in Monroe that are not yet visible in VAMS,” Kellogg said.
Eligible residents without email or internet access, can call the CT COVID Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 1-877-918-2224.
“At this time, the state has informed us that the current focus is on ages 75 and older, and that this is the only group of individuals within the ‘phase 1b’ population that are currently eligible for vaccination,” Kellogg said. “Future groups within phase 1b include frontline essential workers, those age 65-74 and those age 16-64 with specific underlying medical conditions.”
“We are awaiting the state to release further specifics,” he said. “The phase 1b group in Connecticut consists of 1.3 million people. While vaccine production continues to ramp up, the state currently receives approximately 46,000 doses per week. Therefore, it will take considerable time to fully vaccinate this group.”
The Monroe Health Department, the town’s Emergency Management Team, and volunteers from CERT, MRC and EMS stand ready to staff clinics to distribute as much vaccine as the town is provided each week, according to Kellogg.
