Durham Coronavirus Infection Rate Improving

DURHAM, CT — Connecticut’s coronavirus infection figures have been trending in the right direction lately, but health experts worry that the infection rate could rise as temperatures and humidity dip.

Durham had 11 average daily cases per 100,000 residents and a positive test rate of 2.30 percent between Sept. 12-25, according to the state Department of Public Health. There were 13 average daily cases per 100,000 residents in the previous two-week reporting period. It’s important to note that a few cases can have a large impact on a municipal case rate, especially for small towns.

Around 120 of Connecticut’s 169 towns had a lower case rate in the last two weeks compared with the previous two weeks.

Durham recorded 2 new coronavirus cases between September Sept. 22-29, according to DPH’s preliminary data.

State Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said that the colder days ahead usually mean that respiratory viruses, including the coronavirus, have an easier time propagating. The hope is that cases only go up slightly thanks to Connecticut’s high coronavirus vaccination rate, she said.

Around 70 percent of Durham residents are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus as of Sept. 29, according to DPH.