Coronavirus Case Numbers Continue To Fall in Guilford: Officials

GUILFORD, CT — First Selectman Matt Hoey said Friday that like the state, Guilford's COVID-19 positivity rate and case numbers are dropping. State Department of Public Health data shows the positive case rate, while lower than the near-16 percent last week, is 12 percent. Though Hoey said it's predicted by next week, that number should fall to the single digits.

Nonetheless, Hoey and schools Superintendent Paul Freeman "strongly urge parents of school-age children between 5-11 to get your children vaccinated. It is one way we can ensure schools stay open."

Data from the state health department shows that 90 percent of Guilford’s total population has received a first vaccine dose and 84 percent their second. For those eligible to receive the vaccine, 93 percent have received their first dose and 86 percent of those eligible have received the second dose. Health data also shows, he said, that the fully vaccinated rate for children from 5 to 11 has "finally reached 50 percent, but only six new initial vaccinations for this group occurred," Hoey said.

He noted that there "continues to be statewide concern over the reluctance to vaccinate children." He and Freeman hope families will get that age group vaccinated so as to "ensure" schools stay open.

"While we continue to have the lowest confirmed infection rate amongst our surrounding towns," Hoey said, "please follow the traditional protocols we used throughout the pandemic and I urge you to follow CDC guidance and wear masks indoors in public spaces, regardless of your vaccination status. Please honor the wishes of local businesses requiring masks."