Greenwich COVID-19 Numbers Continue to Rise

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By Richard Kaufman

COVID-19 numbers are continuing to increase across the board in Greenwich, according to an update given on Wednesday by First Selectman Fred Camillo and Greenwich Hospital President Diane Kelly.

As of press time on Wednesday, Dec. 2, COVID-19 cases increased by 181 since Nov. 25, marking the biggest weekly increase in Greenwich to date. In total, 1,656 residents have tested positive since the pandemic began. Since Nov. 25, three people have died from the virus, bringing the total to 58.

“With all the positive news that’s in the background that we hear every day about vaccines and the companies that have been working on them, this is just another reminder that we’re not there yet, especially with the holidays upon us,” Camillo said.

Although vaccines are imminent, experts have warned that the United States is expected to go through a dark winter as the holidays come and go.

Camillo said he wants residents to enjoy the holidays and have some sense of normalcy, but in a safe manner by wearing a mask, washing hands, and keeping one’s distance.

“Know that we’re in a danger zone right now and everything has to be done with that in mind,” Camillo said.

At Greenwich Hospital, as of press time on Wednesday, there were 34 patients being treated, with three of those patients in the Intensive Care Unit on ventilators. Kelly noted that they were showing signs of improvement.

Through the hospital’s testing, they’re seeing a positivity rate of 11% over a seven-day average, up from 9.7% on Nov. 20. Before this second wave, the hospital was hovering around 6-8%, Kelly said, reminding that not everyone with a positive test comes into the hospital, and some don’t show any symptoms at all.

On the vaccine front earlier this week, Britain gave emergency authorization to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, becoming the first Western country to do so. The United States is expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.

Kelly said that Yale New Haven Health System and Greenwich Hospital are working with the state of Connecticut on what the vaccine delivery system will look like, and what vaccines they will actually get. The hospital is equipped to store the Pfizer vaccine, which must be kept in extremely cold temperatures in order to remain effective.

Kelly mentioned that the first group of people to get vaccinated will be frontline and healthcare workers, possibly in mid to late December.

“We’re getting our processes ready,” Kelly said. After healthcare workers, prioritization on who gets the vaccine will be determined by people beyond the Yale New Haven Health System.

“There are medical ethicists and epidemiologists and other people nationally that will be working on what this prioritization is,” Kelly said.

As the pandemic stretches into its ninth month and the second wave continues to rise, fatigue has set in with the public. Kelly said it’s no different at Greenwich Hospital amongst the staff.

“We actually have been worried about this, really at the peak of the first wave,” Kelly said. “There’s a lot of work being done at Yale New Haven Health System and Greenwich Hospital to try and help support people through that pandemic fatigue.”

Greenwich Hospital has made special confidential counseling sessions available to healthcare workers, with online self assessments. There are also virtual meetings, called “Healing Circles,” in which different clinicians come together and talk through their stressors and how the pandemic is impacting them.

“People didn’t know what to expect before [when the pandemic started], and they just ran into the fire. They did what great healthcare workers do, and they didn’t walk away; they went full on to do what they needed to do, and now they’re more tired and they know the stressors,” Kelly said. “One of the ways I’m actually able to manage through some of these areas is I just walk on the floor and see the amazing spirit they have and the amazing care they’re providing. You would not know it if you’re looking at them delivering care. We’re being mindful of it, and we are putting things in place [to help].”

The next Greenwich COVID-19 briefing will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 9.

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