COVID-19 Vaccine, Masks, Are Key in Battling Variants, Say Health Officials
Although the tested rate of COVID-19 infections in Chester, Deep River, and Essex remains low this summer, local health officials are urging people to get vaccinated and wear masks, among other hygiene measures like hand washing, as there has been an uptick in variant cases throughout the state.
Essex Director of Health Lisa Fasulo said that with such few cases of COVID-19 in town, it’s hard to pinpoint the source of contagion like small or large gatherings or travel. She also noted that relatively low test numbers may not reflect the actual path of the virus through the community.
“The other thing, too, however, is that the testing rate is really low right now. So, we know there is virus in the community, but they are not getting tested,” said Fasulo.
The Delta variant is of special concern.
“Delta spreads like a wildfire, specifically in unvaccinated populations,” said Scott Martinson, director of health for the Connecticut River Area Health District. “The vast majority of people who are hospitalized or who have recently passed away in our country and abroad are the unvaccinated.”
Vaccination Rates
State public health data, as of Aug. 5, shows that people in the 12- to 15-year-old range in Chester, Deep River, and Essex, have the lowest rates of inoculation against the virus. People in the upper age brackets have the highest rates.
In Chester, 65.80 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. In Deep River, it’s 68.26 percent of the population and in Essex, it’s 73.17 percent.
For those aged 65 and older, 91.13 percent of residents in Chester, 100 percent of residents in Deep River, and 100 percent of residents in Essex have been fully vaccinated.
In the 45- to 64-year-old age bracket, 63.6 percent of residents in Chester, 77.97 percent of residents in Deep River, and 72.88 percent of residents in Essex have been fully vaccinated.
In the 16- to 44-year-old age bracket, 68.58 percent of residents in Chester, 60.27 percent of residents in Deep River, and 70.98 percent of residents in Essex have been fully vaccinated.
In the 12- to 15-year-old age bracket, 41.75 percent of residents in Chester, 48.79 percent of residents in Deep River, and 46.01 percent of residents in Essex have been fully vaccinated.
Fasulo is encouraging everyone who has not done so to be inoculated against the virus, especially to protect children under 12, the only group remaining for which a vaccine is not available.
“If you are 12 and older, I strongly encourage the vaccine,” said Fasulo, who adds that if those 12 and older are not vaccinated, “they are going to be carriers and they are going to be able to transmit the virus to somebody else, especially this Delta variant. It’s more contagious than the previous strain.”
Face Masks
In addition to being inoculated, local health officials are urging people, regardless of vaccination status, to wear masks and keep up with other safety protocols such as hand washing or sanitizing.
“The vaccinated need to do their part with mask wearing because recent studies have shown that the vaccinated can still catch and spread the Delta variant,” said Martinson.
Municipalities can now require masks in indoor public places in their towns for all individuals, vaccinated or not, according to an executive order issued by Governor Ned Lamont on Aug. 5.
In Chester, Deep River, and Essex, a mask is required in all public buildings, such as the town hall and public library, regardless of vaccination status.
“In Essex, I’ve already reinstated mask wearing in the Essex Town Hall for everybody, which includes visitors and employees, vaccinated or unvaccinated,” said Fasulo. “We’re trying to send the message to others that wearing masks is appropriate.”
Back to School
This is especially true, as students return to schools this fall, she said.
“Because those little ones can’t be vaccinated, masking in schools is going to be the best mitigation measure to prevent transmission,” said Fasulo. “I know there is a ton of ‘unmask our children’ campaigns and people that don’t want to wear masks, and think that masks and kids are not healthy. What is not healthy is getting the virus. That is the message that people need to understand.”
The benefits of children learning in a school environment, rather than online from home or a different location, has been touted by numerous education experts.
“By masking and washing their hands, schools can stay open, and we’ll minimize transmission among these kids,” said Fasulo. “We need to buy ourselves more time until the vaccine is approved in younger kids and that’s the way we’re going to do it.”
Fasulo’s recommendation on masks in school is in line with the federal Centers for Disease and Control guidance that states all teachers, staff, and students should continue to wear masks in school regardless of vaccination status.
Interim guidance from the State Department of Education (DOE) on July 25 directed district superintendents to continue to follow the governor’s executive order (No.12A), which requires masks in school settings.
Updated guidance from the DOE relative to COVID-19 safety precautions for the 2021–’22 school year is expected before the start of school in September.
State Guidance on Mask Wearing
Governor Lamont issued a written statement on Aug. 5 detailing the statewide guidance on masks. It stated:
• Unvaccinated people must wear masks while in indoor public places
• Everyone must wear masks regardless of vaccination status while inside certain settings, such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare (this is pursuant to an order from the commissioner of the Department of Public Health)
• Masks are not required outdoors
• Individuals, regardless of their vaccination status, must wear masks indoors if required in the commissioner’s order for special settings or by a municipality
• Businesses, private property owners, and state and local government offices may require masks to be worn by everyone inside of their own facilities