By Richard Kaufman
COVID-19 numbers are improving around the state and locally in Greenwich, according to First Selectman Fred Camillo and Greenwich Hospital President, Diane Kelly.
As of Wednesday, Feb. 17, there were 30 patients being treated at Greenwich Hospital, down from 35 reported on Feb. 10. As of Wednesday, there were three patients in the Intensive Care Unit.
As a whole, the Yale New Haven Health System was treating 218 patients across five hospitals on Wednesday, compared to 295 the week prior.
“It’s really good for us to look [at numbers] across the system so we can feel that we are starting to make a dent in this,” Kelly said.
As of Feb. 17, the total number of Greenwich residents who have tested positive since the pandemic began was 3,801, an increase of 157 over last week. Active cases as of Feb. 17 stood at 185, down 42 from last week. However, the total reported death toll in Greenwich since March increased over the last week by two.
Vaccinations
Vaccination sites around Greenwich continue to operate smoothly. Supplies have increased this week, as the Yale New Haven Health sites in Greenwich expect to vaccinate 750 people each day over the course of this weekend. Last week, 250 people per day received doses when clinics were open.
“We’re successfully getting the vaccines out, as is the Town of Greenwich. We’re grateful to have such good partners.,” Kelly said, noting that as a health system, Yale New Haven Health has delivered 81,000 vaccines into the arms of Connecticut residents so far. “Our sites here in Greenwich are going well, and we’re going to be very busy this weekend.”
Camillo said that there have been discussions in town about reaching out to the public to educate residents on the safety of the vaccine.
“But we’re not there yet,” Camillo explained. “If there was a lot of supply here and there wasn’t a big rush to go get the vaccine, that would absolutely be front and center. We’re certainly prepared to do it and we’re talking about doing it.”
Yale New Haven Health and Greenwich Hospital have participated in public town hall forums and outreach to the community to let people know that the vaccine is safe, effective and a vital tool in the fight against the pandemic. The health system has also made several informative videos on the vaccine available on its social media platforms.
“We’re very open to being a part of that conversation. It’s extremely important,” Kelly said.
Lessons Learned
As the one year anniversary approaches of when the pandemic really hit Connecticut and the United States, Camillo said he has learned a lot over the past 11 months. He expressed hope for brighter days ahead with spring on the horizon.
“It’s been a year like no other. We’re in a much better place than we were last March. Last March we were a little nervous and hoping for a vaccine. We weren’t sure if there would be one,” he said. “I’m very confident that we’re going in the right direction. The other side of this is certainly within sight, but we’re not there yet. We’re getting towards the end of the nine inning game. We’re maybe in the seventh. We’re close.”
Kelly said the pandemic has taught her that the Town of Greenwich and Greenwich Hospital can accomplish great things when they work together.
“Leading Greenwich Hospital and partnering with the Town of Greenwich has shown that two groups can come together and really do the right thing with the sole purpose of providing support to their community,” she said. “That’s both of our missions… We have so much in common with that, I think both of us are stronger together because of it.”
