Monroe First Selectman Updates Residents On Coronavirus Efforts

MONROE, CT — Monroe is averaging better than one new coronavirus case per day, according to First Selectman Ken Kellogg, which places the town at the "yellow" level or the lowest category of infection.

Kellogg made the announcement Thursday in an update to residents about the town's COVID-19 efforts.

Since the pandemic began nearly 18 months ago, Monroe has had 1,454 COVID-19 cases, and 16 deaths associated with the virus, Kellogg said.

Connecticut is seeing an uptick in coronavirus cases due to the spread of the delta variant, which is a more infectious version of the virus. The spread of the variant has led many retailers to reinstitute mask policies in their facilities.

More than 63 percent of Monroe residents are fully vaccinated, according to Kellogg.

"Individuals who are not vaccinated are encouraged to visit www.MonroeCT.org/COVID-19 for links on available vaccination clinics," Kellogg said. "All individuals who are 12 years of age or older and live, work, or attend school in Connecticut are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

Below is additional information from Kellogg's Thursday message:

UPDATE ON MASK POLICY
The statewide mask policy that remains in effect is as follows:
• Masks are not required while outdoors.
• Individuals who are fully vaccinated are recommended to wear a mask in indoor public spaces based upon CDC guidelines and the level of transmission in Fairfield County. However, masking is not mandated at this time.
• Unvaccinated individuals must wear masks indoors in all public spaces.
• Masks are required to be worn by everyone in certain settings such as healthcare facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools, and childcare.
• Businesses continue to have the option to require masks to be worn by everyone in their establishments.

"The Governor has issued a new executive order allowing town-by-town universal mask requirements. Based upon the current low levels of transmission and high vaccination rate of our town, there is no need to exceed the state mandates at this time. The entire Emergency Management Team, including the Monroe Health Department, continue to monitor the situation very closely."