Changes Happening In Chester

CHESTER, CT — In response to the recent changes in regard to the spike in the delta variant of the coronavirus Chester's First Selectwoman Lauren Gister wrote a letter to the town:

"Dear Chester -

As you have all heard, the CDC recently changed their mask guidance to advise people in areas with "high" or "substantial" Covid-19 transmission should resume wearing masks indoors. Middlesex County is now within this threshold, as is more than 75% of the US population. The masking recommendation was updated to ensure the vaccinated public would not unknowingly transmit virus to others.

CDC indicates Middlesex County as an area of Substantial community transmission with a rate of 52.33 per hundred thousand residents over seven days (Sun July 25 – Sat July 31). CDC classifies counties with greater than 50 COVID cases per hundred thousand residents over seven days as “Substantial.” As of this week, Middletown Town Hall currently has 4 fully vaccinated employees who have tested positive for COVID-19, and at least two of them have symptoms. The statewide infection rate has increased approximately 200% and hospitalizations have quadrupled in the past month. Of Westbrook’s 9 new cases, 6 of the individuals are reported to be fully vaccinated.

CRAHD is actively continuing vaccinations at its Old Saybrook office so I encourage anyone who is interested in a vaccination to contact them at 860-661-3300.

Effective immediately, we are re-instituting a mask requirement in Chester public buildings such as the Town Hall, Library and Meeting House, regardless of vaccination status.

Please help protect yourself and your neighbors by resuming the precautions of handwashing, sanitizing and masking – hopefully a little extra caution will halt this rapid spread and we can prevent any future negative impact to families, schools and local businesses.

Updated CDC Guidance for Fully Vaccinated People: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/fully-vaccinated-guidance.html

CDC County specific data: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#county-view

Thank you for working together to keep our residents safe and our community vibrant!

Be well,

Lauren"