MONROE, CT — Monroe’s rate of new COVID-19 cases dropped to an average of 2.5 per day, as the state amps up vaccinations.
In an update on the pandemic issued Friday, First Selectman Ken Kellogg said the town’s two-week case rate is now 13.6 cases per 100,000 population.
“Monroe is now one of several Connecticut towns that is no longer in the red category,” he said of the Connecticut Department of Public Health’s color-coded map on the severity of new cases.
Red is the highest alert, but Kellogg said Monroe is now orange, the second highest. As of Thursday, Monroe has had 1,061 cases and 13 deaths, since the start of the pandemic.
“Almost 15 percent of Monroe’s population, or roughly 2,900 residents, have received at least one vaccination,” Kellogg said.
Gov. Ned Lamont recently changed statewide eligibility for vaccinations by no longer basing it upon “frontline essential worker” categories or those with certain health conditions. Citing confusion and complexity in implementation, Lamont shifted to an age-based prioritization approach.
Eligibility to register for vaccinations are:
- Age 55+ on March 1
- Age 45+ on March 22
- Age 35+ on April 12
- Age 16+ on May 3
Pre-k through grade 12 educators, support staff, and licensed childcare professionals living or working in the state will have dedicated vaccination clinics starting March 1, according to Kellogg.
The Monroe Health Department continues to run clinics for eligible groups, which are scheduled through VAMS. Residents also have a variety of other options to register and make an appointment. For information, visit the COVID-19 page of the town’s website.
“We will continue to post our vaccination standby list for those eligible and registered in VAMS and available to be vaccinated within the hour if called,” Kellogg said. “Details are provided on the signup page on our website.”
Monroe’s two urgent care centers, Hartford Healthcare/St. Vincent’s and DOCS Medical Group, offer daily COVID-19 testing.
“We have confirmed that both locations are offering PCR testing, and anyone can be tested — with or without symptoms,” Kellogg said.
Due to significantly less demand for testing, Masuk High School is no longer needed for the larger drive-thru testing vaccination clinics. As a result, the clinic scheduled for Wednesday, March 3, has been moved to the Monroe Senior Center, 235 Cutlers Farm Road.
