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Feb. 2 Daily COVID Update: Four New Cases in Each Town Take Cumulative Totals to 238 in Lyme, 964 in Old Lyme

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Photo by CDC on Unsplash,

LYME-OLD LYME — The Daily Data Report issued Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022, around 4 p.m. by the Connecticut Department of Health(CT DPH) shows four new, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Old Lyme taking the town’s cumulative case total from 964 to 968.

There were also four new cases in Lyme raising the cumulative total of cases there from 238 to 242.

The next Daily Data Report will be issued by the state Thursday, Feb. 3, around 4 p.m.

Statewide Data

The state’s COVID-19 Daily Positivity Rate on Wednesday, Feb. 2, fell to 7.43% from Tuesday’s number of 8.68% and COVID-related hospitalizations decreased by 60 to 935.

Of those hospitalized, 501 (representing 53.6%) are not fully vaccinated.

The total number of COVID-related deaths in Connecticut has risen to 10,083. (Source: NYTimes.com) In an article by Susan Haigh of the Associated Press and published Feb. 1, in the Hartford Courant Dr. David Emmel, chairman of the Connecticut Medical Society’s legislative committee is quoted as saying that breaking the 10,000 total number of deaths in the state is a, “very sad statistic” [and] “what’s even more discouraging is that people are continuing to die when they don’t have to because most of them, almost all them, are people who are unvaccinated.”

The CT DPH will issue an updated map of the zones Thursday, Feb. 3 — the map is updated weekly on Thursdays.

As we reported in our Thursday, Jan. 27  COVID-19 Daily Data Report, the total number of towns in the Red (highest) Zone for case rates remains at 168, leaving only one town in the state — Canaan — not in the Red Zone. This number of 168 is equivalent to 99.4 percent of towns in the state.

All the towns in the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) are in the Red Zone.

Old Lyme is in the Red (highest) Zone for the 10th consecutive week: prior to this, the last time Old Lyme was in the Red Zone was Sept. 30, 2021.

Lyme is in the Red Zone for the 8th week in succession.

Extracts from the Jan. 27, 2022 CT DPH report

As of Jan. 26, 2022: (the number in parentheses is from Jan. 19, 2022)

  • Number of cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated persons in Connecticut: 150,141 (115,021)
  • Number of fully vaccinated persons in Connecticut: 2,569,296 (2,540,829)
  • Percent of fully vaccinated persons, who have contracted COVID-19: 5.84% (4.53%)

For the week beginning Jan. 16, 2022: (the number in parentheses is from Jan. 09, 2021)

  • Risk of unvaccinated persons testing positive for COVID-19 as compared to fully vaccinated persons: 3.1x greater (3.4x greater)
  • Risk of unvaccinated persons dying from COVID-19 as compared to fully vaccinated persons: 12.9x greater (18.6x greater)

Increase in Cases in Lyme & Old Lyme Since August 2021

The cumulative total of confirmed cases for Old Lyme has now increased by 525 since Wednesday, Nov. 10, when the total stood at 443 — that number had stood unchanged for a week since the previous Thursday, Nov. 4.

On Aug. 26 — which was the day Lyme-Old Lyme Schools started the new academic year — Old Lyme’s cumulative case total stood at 372, meaning there have now been 596 new cases there since that date. Meanwhile, Lyme’s cumulative total on Aug. 26 was 114 indicating 128 new cases have also been confirmed there during the same period.

Ledge Light Health District Update

All the towns in the Ledge Light Health District (LLHD), of which both Lyme and Old Lyme are members, are in the Red Zone.

In an email sent Friday, Jan. 28, regarding the latest COVID-19 data, Ledge Light Health District (LLHD) Director of Health Stephen Mansfield states, “Although the number of new cases and hospitalizations continues to decrease, we are still experiencing high average daily case rates and a continued focus on preventing transmission is important.

He continues, “Ledge Light Health District advises all businesses and community members take direct steps to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission in your business, home, and place of work. We encourage all businesses within our communities to adopt masking policies for employees and customers, regardless of vaccination status.”

Finally, he states, “LLHD continues to focus our vaccination efforts on homebound populations and providing initial vaccinations and boosters to individuals who were vaccinated previously. Information about vaccination opportunities can be found at https://llhd.org/coronavirus-covid-19-situation/covid-19-vaccine/.”

COVID testing opportunities can be found at COVID-19 Testing | Ledge Light Health District (llhd.org)

The following link provides centralized access to Connecticut COVID data: https://data.ct.gov/stories/s/COVID-19-data/wa3g-tfvc/

The next Ledge Light update is due Thursday, Feb. 3, 2022.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Update

Under new state protocols for schools, Lyme-Old Lyme (LOL) Schools are no longer required to carry out contact tracing , but LOL Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser said in a Jan. 4 email to the school community that he, “… will continue to notify the school community of any positive cases of COVID-19 that impact the schools.”

A full listing of all LOL Schools-related cases during 2022 is given below. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, three new cases were reported in LOL Schools.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools closed Dec. 23, 2021 and reopened Monday, Jan. 3, 2022 after the winter break meaning no new cases were reported by the schools during that period. We are no longer including positive cases impacting LOL schools between Aug 26, 2021 (the first day of the 2021-22 academic school year) and Dec. 23, 2021 (the last day of school before winter break began), in this report. During that period contact tracing was still required.

View the full listing of cases during that period (8/26/21 – 12/23/21) at this link.

The listing below is the latest information that we have with the most recent cases first — there may have been further updates, however, which we have not yet received.

The following abbreviations are used in the list below: LOLHS: Lyme-Old Lyme High School, LOLMS: Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, CS: MC: Mile Creek School, and Center School Pre-Kindergarten.

Wednesday, Feb. 2
Total: 3, MC: 3

Tuesday, Feb. 1
Total: 1, MC: 1

Monday, Jan. 31
Total: 2, LOLMS: 1, Lyme: 1

Sunday, Jan. 30
Total: 1, Lyme: 1

Friday, Jan. 28
Total: 3, LOLHS: 1, LOLMS: 1, MC: 1

Thursday, Jan. 27
Total: 3, LOLHS: 1, Lyme: 2

Wednesday, Jan. 26
Total: 3, LOLHS: 1, MC: 2

Tuesday, Jan. 25
Total: 4, LOLMS: 2, MC: 2

Monday, Jan. 24
Total: 9, LOLHS: 2, LOLMS: 1, Lyme: 1, MC: 4, CS: 1

Sunday, Jan. 23
Total: 3, LOLMS: 1, Lyme: 2

Friday, Jan. 21
Total: 8, LOLHS: 4, LOLMS: 2, MC: 2

Thursday, Jan. 20
Total: 5, LOLMS: 1, MC: 1, Lyme: 3

Wednesday, Jan.19
Total: 7, LOLHS: 2, LOLMS: 4, CS: 1

Tuesday, Jan. 18
Total: 7, LOLHS: 3, LOLMS: 2, MC: 2

Monday, Jan. 17
Total: 6, Lyme: 4, MC: 2

Friday, Jan. 14
Total: 3, MC: 2, LOLHS: 1

Wednesday, Jan. 12
Total: 3, MC: 2, LOLMS: 1

Monday, Jan. 10
Total: 3, CS: 1, Lyme: 2

Sunday, Jan. 9
Total: 2, MC: 1, Lyme: 1

Friday, Jan. 7
Total: 1, MC: 1

Thursday, Jan. 6
Total: 7, LOLHS: 5, Lyme: 1, CS: 1

Wednesday, Jan. 5
Total: 14, LOLHS: 6, MC: 1, Lyme: 3, CS: 4

Tuesday, Jan. 4
Total: 5, LOLHS: 4, CS: 1

Fatalities Due to COVID-19 in Lyme, Old Lyme

There has been one COVID-related fatality of a Lyme resident: a 57-year-old male passed away Nov. 16, 2021. On Nov. 30, the state finally included this fatality in its data

Three COVID-related fatalities have been reported in Old Lyme. The first two fatalities from Old Lyme, which were reported in 2020, were a 61-year-old female and an 82-year-old male.

Details of the third, which was reported in 2021, have not been made available.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Host ‘Invention Convention’ for Grades 5, 7

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The cheerful inventors gather for a group photo part way through the event.

OLD LYME — Inventors from Grade 5 (20 inventors) and Grade 7 (14 Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School inventors) participated in the District-Wide Invention Convention last Thursday, Jan. 29, when their inventions were displayed at Old Lyme’s Memorial Town Hall.

Inventors learned about the engineering and design process, created display boards and gave speeches to pitch their invention ideas.

Kylie Grethel stands with her invention “Pedal 4 Prizes,” which now advances to the statewide contest.

Thirteen judges from Lyme and Old Lyme including Mentor Corps for Community Development members, Lyme’s Youth Service Bureau staff, Town Hall employees and Region 18 Board of Education members, volunteered their time to judge the inventions in four different categories:

  • purpose and practicality of the invention
  • attention to detail related to the invention
  • presentation skills of the inventor
  • quality of the display board detailing the invention

We are extremely proud of all the inventors for the time, commitment, and hard work they have put into this project as they have been working on this project since September.

Lyme-Old Lyme Schools Superintendent Ian Neviaser asks Annie Gingras a question about her invention, the “Tangle Tamer 2000.” This entry also advanced to the state competition.

Students advancing to the “virtual” state competition to be hosted by UConn during April and May will be:

From Lyme Consolidated:
Griffin Karpinski with his invention “Hive Alive”
Lillian Reynolds with her invention “Scoli-Cool”
Jack Montmeat with his invention “The Blanketing”

From Mile Creek:
Annie Gingras with her invention “Tangle Tamer 2000”
Victoria Glaras with her invention “Hen He​lper”
Kylie Grethel with her invention “Pedal 4 Prizes”

From Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School:
Lucy Arico with her invention “Sea Cow Saver”
Vinny Pietrowicz with his invention “Flex Tube”
Ainsley Rinoski with her invention “Wrist Guard”

Basketball Update: Old Lyme Girls Secure Two Wins, One Overtime Loss in Past Week

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Senior Ali Kyle dribbles the ball in the game against Coginchaug.

LYME-OLD LYME — The Old Lyme girls have played three games since last Thursday and came way with two wins and one loss in overtime.

On Thursday, Jan. 27, Old Lyme defeated East Lyme 44-40. Senior Megan Loflin scored 17 points and took 16 rebounds while Junior Alexis Fenton notched 12 points and  7 steals. Freshman Kate Walsh added 6 points.

After the game, Coach Don Bugbee said, “The girls played well, especially in the second half, against a very good East Lyme team. We had solid contributions from all players. Playing good defense, making fouls shots, and protecting the ball on Offense were the key components in securing the win.”

Freshman Kelly Sheehan defends against a Coginchaug opponent.

A day later on Friday, Jan. 28, Old Lyme lost to East Hampton 42-39 in overtime. Senior Megan Loflin again led the scoring with 11 points and Junior Alexis Fenton put up 10. Freshman Kate Walsh, sophomore Ava Roth and Senior Ali Kyle added7, 6 and 5 points respectively.

Coach Bugbee commented, “It was a hard-fought battle throughout the game versus a very good East Hampton Team, with solid efforts from everyone.”

Senior Megan Loflin rebounds in the game against Coginchaug.

Yesterday evening, Old Lyme defeated Coginchaug 45-42 in a real nail-biter. Junior Alexis Fenton had an outstanding game scoring 20 points and Senior Megan Loflin added 15.

Coach Bugbee said after the game, “We were in control of the game through three quarters and hung on for the win after a strong fourth quarter from Coginchaug.”

Junior Alexis Fenton dribbles behind while playing Coginchaug.

Old Lyme’s record is now 7-6.

The girls now face St Bernard away on Wednesday, Feb. 2, and Portland, also away, on Friday, Feb. 4.

American Rescue Plan Committee Presents Initial Findings From Survey to Old Lyme BOS

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OLD LYME — On Tuesday, Jan. 18, towards the end of a very lengthy Old Lyme (OL) Board of Selectmen (BOS)’s meeting, the agenda item of a ‘Project Update from the OL American Rescue Plan (ARP) Committee’ was finally reached.

In view of the time — the meeting had already been running three hours — and the fact another meeting was waiting to convene in the Meeting Room, Selectwoman Martha Shoemaker handed a copy of a summary of the initial results of the committee’s survey to her BOS colleagues and proposed they should discuss it at their next meeting on Monday, Feb. 7.

The summary read as follows:

The purpose of this brief summary is to provide the Board of Selectmen and the residents of Old Lyme an update on the recent survey of Old Lyme residents, businesses, and organizations by the American Recovery Plan Committee. The survey was designed to help the committee recommend a strategy to the Board of Selectman for using the designated federal funds under the American Recovery Plan Act. The survey was open from December 9 through January 7, 2022. The committee has the initial findings of the survey and is working now to complete their analysis of the results.

The survey resulted in 896 completed electronic responses and 4 handwritten responses. The total includes 704 residents who consider Old Lyme their primary residence including 67 who also run a business or organization in town; 168 property owners (that includes seasonal residents); and 28 business owners who do not also live in Old Lyme. This indicates roughly 10% of the Old Lyme population participated in the survey. The ARPA Committee is pleased with the number of participants.

Old Lyme residents, business owners, and organization leaders were asked how the pandemic affected their lives, as well as their preferences for how the Town spends its ARPA funds. Respondents could also include additional comments if they wished.

The Committee strives to operate in a transparent and objective manner, and looks forward to sharing with the public the complete findings as they are compiled and analyzed.

The first set of findings ready to share regards a question asked of all survey takers. The survey asked participants for their input regarding how the money should be allocated across 11 categories. These categories were chosen because they are deemed appropriate and legal uses of the funds by the US Treasury Department. The committee has reviewed respondents’ beliefs of how important each of the categories are in the distribution of funds. The categories are listed below in ranked order from most to least important.

  1. Investment in current and future infrastructure challenges such as clean water and sewer/waste treatment: – 68.99%
  2. Investment in Old Lyme post-pandemic small business recovery – 67.37%
  3. Financial assistance to Nonprofit Organizations that provided relief and services to Old Lyme residents during the pandemic – 67.12%
  4. Investment in Mental Health Services or other Public Health Services to assist Old Lyme residents – 65.97%
  5. Reinvestment in Old Lyme government services that were deemed essential during the pandemic (such as Emergency Services) to ensure preparedness for future services – 63.77%
  6. Investment in town-wide broadband (internet) improvements and/or cell services for potentially recurring needs such as remote work, remote schooling, and Telehealth services – 60.62%
  7. Grant premium pay to Old Lyme front line essential workers who were at heightened risk due to the character of their work during the public health emergency – 57.86%
  8. Financial assistance to Old Lyme families and households having difficulty recovering from pandemic losses (noting there are funds available now for Old Lyme families through a fund administered by LYSB) – 54.3%
  9. Investment in early childhood care and education – 54.1%
  10. Investment in bringing visitors to our Old Lyme attractions, restaurants, shops, and accommodations – 41.92%
  11. Investment in affordable housing to meet the needs of those working and living in Old Lyme. – 38.55%

The Committee members have divided into groups to further process the results and survey comments. These groups will report to the ARP Committee on January 19th.

  • Public Safety – Mary Jo Nosal and Dave Roberge
  • Arts / Entertainment and Hospitality – Cheryl Poirier
  • Mental Health / Social Services – Mary Seidner and Jen Datum
  • Infrastructure – Phil Parcak and Martha Shoemaker
  • Business / Industry – Rick Stout and Dennis Powers

Asked for a comment on the initial findings, Richard Stout, who serves as chairman of the ARP Committee’s Survey Sub-Committee told LymeLine by e-mail, “The committee meetings are open to the public, include a public comment agenda item and minutes of committee meetings are available here: https://www.oldlyme-ct.gov/node/35311/minutes.”

He continued, “The committee membership and invited presenters reflect a wide range of the Town’s stakeholders, and the committee is working through the survey responses to formulate its recommendations to the BOS and BOF [Old Lyme Board of Finance] in keeping with its Mission Statement (printed below).

Finally, he noted, “Minutes from the 1/19/2022 meeting include a succinct overview of the survey update provide by the committee.”

The next meeting of the ARP Committee is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 2, at 12 p.m. in the Meeting hall at Old Lyme Town Hall. Selectwoman Shoemaker told LymeLine via email, “Our next step is to come up with an official application and a process for the requests.”

Editor’s Note: The Mission Statement of the Old Lyme American Rescue Plan Committee reads: ‘The ARPC will develop and recommend a strategy to the Board of Selectmen for the allocation of ARP funds that benefits the Old Lyme community, which has been impacted by the COVID pandemic. The Committee will strive to operate in a transparent and objective manner and consider input from the community at large. The group’s goal is that their recommendation for fund deployment will, when carried out, maximize benefits for those living and working in Old Lyme. The ARPC will provide regular updates to the Board of Selectmen and Board of Finance with a goal of submitting final recommendations prior to June 30, 2022.’

Around 18 Inches of Snow Blanket Lyme, Old Lyme

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On Saturday, Jess Talerico, co-owner of the new Old Lyme Hardware (formerly Christiansen’s), took the snow in her stride. She relaxed for a few minutes outside the store on the Old Lyme Marketplace sipping a drink under a sun umbrella to give her shelter from the storm.

LYME/OLD LYME — Somewhere between 16 and 18 inches of snow fell on Lyme and Old Lyme during Saturday’s nor’easter leaving a white wonderland in its wake.

Snow measurements we have received from residents suggest between 16 and 18 inches fell in the Lymes. Photo by J. Talerico.

Roads were almost deserted in our towns at the height of the storm.

A snow plow begins the monumental task of clearing Old Lyme Marketplace. Photo by J. Talerico.

Despite the strong winds and significant amount of snow, it does not appear that any residents lost power.

More than 16 inches of snow fell in Old Lyme, where this photo was taken. Photo by L. Hautaniemi.

Crews are working diligently to clear the roads and a number of vehicular accidents have been reported.

A town-wide parking ban remains in effect in Old Lyme through 12 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 30. Move any vehicles on the street into a driveway so the streets can be safely plowed.

Both Lyme and Old Lyme Congregational Churches have moved their Sunday, Jan. 30 services to Zoom only. Saint Ann’s Episcopal Church in Old Lyme has cancelled its 8:30 a.m. Sunday service.

Here are some general rules to follow as you start to dig out from the storm:

  • Check on your neighbors. Older adults and young children are more at risk in extreme cold.
  • Reduce the risk of a heart attack. Avoid overexertion when shoveling snow.
  • Use generators outside only.
  • Stay indoors and  dress warmly.
  • Prepare for  power outages.
  • Listen for emergency information and alerts.
  • Travel will be hazardous. Stay off the roads as much as possible.
  • Your cell phone will be an important tool during this emergency — make sure it is charged.
  • Stay away from downed power lines and call 911 to report them.
  • Exposure to cold temperatures and sustained winds will contribute to hypothermia and dehydration. If you go outside, dress in layers and wear hats, scarves and gloves. Remove wet clothing as soon as you are back indoors.
  • If there is a fire hydrant on or near your property, please help by keeping it clear for emergency use.
  • Call 911 to report all emergency situations.

Snow was no problem for this dog. Photo by Beth Sullivan.

Dogs and other four-legged animals can have fun in the snow but be sure to keep a keen eye on them to prevent them from getting caught in drifting snow or staying outside in the frigid temperatures for too long

Blitz decided digging in the snow was the order of the day for him! Photo by Beth Sullivan.