Jan. 28 COVID-19 Update: Case Rate Falls in Both Towns, Cumulative Cases in Old Lyme Up Four to 254, Lyme’s Hold at 73

Posted on January 28, 2021 by Olwen Logan

This map published Jan. 28 shows the average daily rate of new cases of COVID-19 by town during the past two weeks. Both Lyme and Old Lyme are in the ‘Red Zone.’ Only cases among persons living in community settings are included in this map; the map does not include cases among people who reside in nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities.

LYME/OLD LYME — The report issued Thursday, Jan. 28, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) showed that Old Lyme’s COVID-19 cumulative case numbers since the pandemic began increased by four to 254 over Wednesday’s number of 250.

Lyme’s cumulative total held at 73, the same number as that reported Wednesday.

New Two-Week Case Rate Falls in Both Towns

The two-week case rate per 100,000 population announced Thursday, Jan. 28, fell in both Lyme and Old Lyme, decreasing in Lyme between 1/10 and 1/23 from 55.0 to 24.4 and in Old Lyme over the same period from 58.2 to 48.5.

The state issues a COVID-19 metric report daily around 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, which includes current data up to the previous evening. The Monday reports include data for the weekend as well as the previous Friday.

Both Towns Still in ‘Red Zone’

The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued Thursday, Jan. 28, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 27, shows the following:

Both Lyme and Old Lyme are still in the state-identified ‘Red Zone’ (see map above), where they have been for the past several weeks.

As of the Jan. 28 report, six towns in the state — Canaan, Cornwall, Colebrook, Norfolk, Scotland and Warren — are now in the ‘Gray Zone.’

The red category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town exceeds 15.
The gray category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town is less than five or less than five reported cases.

In all cases, this rate does not include cases or tests among residents of nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities.

Old Lyme – Confirmed Cases Up Four

Old Lyme now has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 249 confirmed COVID-19 cases and FIVE probable cases, making a TOTAL of 254 cases.

This represents an INCREASE of FOUR in the cumulative number of confirmed cases over the number reported Wednesday, Jan. 27, (245) and NO CHANGE in the number of probable cases over the number reported the same day.

The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 4,372.

There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.

New CT DPH Two-Weekly Report for Old Lyme Issued Jan. 28

The Jan. 28 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 01/10/21 through 01/23/21, Old Lyme had 27 (33) cases in Week 1 and 23 (27) in Week 2. (The previous Week 1 and 2 figures are shown in parentheses.) This data was updated Jan. 28, 2021.

The case rate in Old Lyme for 100,000 population is 48.5, reflecting a decrease from the previously reported two-week rate of 58.2. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’

Lyme – No Change in Confirmed or Probable Cases

Lyme has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 68 confirmed cases and FIVE probable cases, making a TOTAL of 73 cases.

This represents NO CHANGE in the number of confirmed or probable cases from the numbers reported Wednesday, Jan. 27.

There have been no fatalities in Lyme.

The total number of Lyme residents tested is 1,173.

New CT DPH Two-Weekly Report for Lyme Issued Jan. 28

The Jan. 28 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 01/10 through 01/23/21, Lyme had 3 (14) cases in Week 1 and 5 (4) in Week 2. (The previous Week 1 and 2 figures are shown in parentheses.) This data was updated Jan. 28, 2021.

The case rate in Lyme for 100,000 population is 24.4 reflecting a decrease from the previously reported two-week-rate of 55.0. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’

Connecticut Hospital Occupancy

At the request of several readers, we are adding a new report today showing the respective rates of hospital occupancy at local hospitals. The data for this report is obtained from the Connecticut Hospital Occupancy Report published weekly by the CT DPH and extracted from the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) facility-level data for hospital utilization aggregated on a weekly basis (Friday to Thursday).

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Editor’s Note: In light of the serious rise in Coronavirus cases, we have started a new weekday update reporting confirmed and probable COVID-19 cases in Lyme and Old Lyme. The next CT DPH Daily Data Report for Connecticut will be issued Friday, Jan. 29.

Old Lyme’s 2020 Citizen of the Year is Roger Smith, a ‘Selfless Volunteer,’ and ‘Humble Leader’

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Olwen Logan

The 2020 Old Lyme Citizen of the Year Roger M. Smith stands between Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold and Selectman Christopher Kerr at Monday evening’s award announcement at the Annual Town Meeting. All photos by Michele Dickey.

OLD LYME — Noting at the Annual Town Business Meeting that announcing the Old Lyme Citizen of the Year is, “Always one of the most enjoyable parts” of his job, Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold told the in-person audience of five and some 35 attendees via Webex and phone that, “This year will be the same.”

The meeting was held Monday evening in the Old Lyme Town Hall Meeting Room in a “hybrid” format to allow residents to attend virtually.

He went on to say he was “very pleased” to announce the 2020 recipient as Roger M. Smith, who was, “Selected for his dedication and commitment to numerous, local nonprofit organizations.”

Explaining that he had received nine letters of recommendation for Smith’s nomination, Griswold went on to read from the official Citation for the award, saying, “Roger has been a visionary who inspires those around him to do their best and to see beyond their self-limiting expectations.”

Pointing out that Smith, “Volunteers with several nonprofit organizations and has been described as one of the world’s best listeners, someone who is unafraid to ask the hard questions,” Griswold described Smith as, “A humble leader who will take on any task that will further the mission of the organization, and someone who is forward-thinking – seeing problems and opportunities before others.”

Roger Smith, Old Lyme’s 2020 Citizen of the Year.

Griswold continued using examples from three non-profits where Smith has volunteered extensively for over 30 years. In the first case, Griswold mentioned High Hopes Therapeutic Riding, Inc., where the organization described Smith as, “an individual with vision who is always prepared to ask hard questions in a manner that provokes constructive thought and facilitates growth. His quiet, supportive leadership has been key in creating an inclusive environment for the organization.”

Adding that, “These sentiments are echoed by the Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library, who believe Roger’s greatest strength as a volunteer and board member is that he is grounded in his belief in people and their capacity to work together to make the world a bigger, brighter, and a more inclusive place,” Griswold emphasized, “Roger is not someone that merely talks about taking action, he consistently and tirelessly works to make things happen.”

Specifically regarding the recent library expansion, Griswold said that Smith’s involvement, “… has been significant, and generations will reap the benefits of the updated building.”

The 2020 Citizen of the Year Roger Smith (right) shares a smile with Old Lyme First Selectman Timothy Griswold.

Finally, Griswold quoted from the recommendation sent by the First Congregational Church of Old Lyme, where Roger has served in several leadership capacities. church leaders describe Smith as, “Someone who is willing to take on responsibilities that others may avoid. As a member of the church for over 30 years, Roger helps wherever it is needed, including transporting the family pony, Neil, to the Christmas Eve services to be in the annual Living Manger.”

The citation notes, “Roger’s face beams with joy as he makes sure every child has had a chance to get to know Neil.”

Summing up all the recommendations, Griswold stated, “A true leader is someone who inspires, listens, challenges others gently yet firmly, and believes he is not above any task. Roger has proven himself to be a gift to the Old Lyme community through his selfless devotion to volunteerism and it is our great honor to recognize him as our 2020 Citizen of the Year.”

Smith was present to receive what Griswold described as, “A handsome certificate,” and receive hearty applause from the members of the public in the Town Hall Meeting Room. Griswold said, “We thank you for all of these years [of volunteering] and explained that a gathering earlier in the afternoon* at Smith’s house has taken place to honor Smith and the announcement of his award.

Accepting the award, the ever-humble Smith said, “This is a very nice honor.”

Editor’s Note: *Visit this link to view a video of Roger Smith receiving the surprise news of his award at his home on Monday afternoon.

Jan. 26 COVID-19 Update: Cumulative Cases in Old Lyme Climb by Three to 244, Lyme’s Hold at 72

Posted on January 26, 2021 by Olwen Logan

LYME/OLD LYME — The report issued Tuesday, Jan. 26, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) showed that Old Lyme’s COVID-19 cumulative case numbers since the pandemic began increased by three to 244 over Monday’s number of 241. Lyme’s cumulative total held steady at 72.

The two-week case rate per 100,000 population in Old Lyme announced Thursday, Jan. 21, continues to rise going from 51.4 to 58.2 while the same statistic in Lyme has fallen from 78.3 to 55.0.

The Daily Data Report for Connecticut issued Tuesday, Jan. 26, by the Connecticut Department of Public Health (CT DPH) for data as at 8:30 p.m., Monday, Jan. 25, shows the following:

Both Lyme and Old Lyme are still in the state-identified ‘Red Zone;’ where they have been for the past several weeks.

As of the Jan. 26 report, five towns in the state — Canaan, Cornwall, Colebrook, Norfolk and Warren — are now in the ‘Gray Zone.’

The red category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town exceeds 15.
The gray category is defined as when the Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town is less than five or less than five reported cases.

In all cases, this rate does not include cases or tests among residents of nursing home, assisted living, or correctional facilities.

Old Lyme

Old Lyme now has a cumulative total (since the outbreak began) of 239 confirmed COVID-19 cases and FIVE probable cases, making a TOTAL of 244 cases.

This represents an INCREASE of THREE in the cumulative number of confirmed cases over the number reported Monday, Jan. 25, (236) and NO CHANGE in the number of probable cases over the number reported the same day.

The total number of Old Lyme residents tested is 4,342.

There have been two fatalities in Old Lyme.

CT DPH Two-Weekly Report

The Jan. 25 report issued by CT DPH shows that during the two-week reporting period from 01/03/21 through 01/16/21, Old Lyme had 33 cases in Week 1 and 27 in Week 2. This data was updated Jan. 21, 2021.

The case rate in Old Lyme for 100,000 population is 58.2, reflecting an increase from the previously reported two-week rate of 51.4. A case rate of 15 or more cases per 100,000 population places a town in the state’s ‘Red Zone.’