As of August 3, 2021, Litchfield County has been designated as an area with “substantial” COVID-19 transmission, meaning that more than 50 cases per 100,000 residents have occurred over a seven-day period. The most prevalent variant, the “delta” variant, is more contagious than others that came before it, has the capacity to be more lethal to the non-vaccinated, and has the capacity to “break through” to infect vaccinated individuals. Vaccinated individuals can carry and spread this variant to other people, and our infection and hospitalization rates in Connecticut are rising.
In order to keep members of the public and Town staff safe, starting Monday, August 9, all members of the Town staff and all members of the public will be required to wear masks in public buildings, regardless of vaccination status. This precaution will be in place until further notice as based on guidance from the State and the CDC.
While masking is one precaution that we can put in place as a town, it is only addressing the symptom of the problem. Right now, the COVID variants are able to form and spread more readily because such a relatively low percentage of the population is vaccinated against COVID-19. The CDC recommends that all residents 12 years of age and older get vaccinated as soon as possible. Please contact your primary care physician if you have any questions about the vaccines or the vaccination process.