Hamden Rolls Back To Phase II; 2 Schools Closed

Following a spike of Covid-19 cases in the state, Hamden Mayor Curt Leng announced Friday evening that Hamden will roll back to the state’s ​“Phase II” partial economic shutdown guidelines in an attempt to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus.

The mayor made that announcement in a Friday afternoon press release. The Phase II rollback is set to go into place starting Saturday at 6 p.m.

The change of course comes one day after New Haven city government made the same decision because of a local spike in Covid cases, reverting city businesses back to Phase II guidelines effective Thursday afternoon.

The town also closed two schools this week. On Tuesday, the Ridge Hill School shut down because a staff member tested positive. That staff member had come in contact with staff members throughout the school, and enough had to quarantine that it was not possible to properly staff the school. Students at Ridge Hill will learn remotely until Nov. 9.

On Thursday, the district announced that Hamden High School would be closed on Friday because of a positive case. The district will carry out contact tracing over the weekend, and will assess whether it’s safe to reopen on Wednesday. Monday and Tuesday are professional development days, so students would not be there anyway.

“While we are all without question experiencing ​“COVID Fatigue” and want things to go back to normal faster, the fact is that COVID-19 is spreading in our State and the trends show it gaining momentum somewhat similar to what we experienced earlier this year,” Leng is quoted as saying in a Friday afternoon press release. ​“For the health and well-being of our families and neighbors, we need to wear our masks, keep social distancing, wash our hands, stay away from gatherings — especially inside — and follow all of the health guidance that will help protect us. I have no doubt that we can do this together.”

This week, Hamden moved into the state’s ​“orange” case rate designation, meaning it is recording between 10 and 14 new cases per 100,000 every day. As of Thursday, the town’s case rate was 10.2 per 100,000.

Under Phase II restrictions, restaurants can only seat 50 percent of their capacity indoors, unlike 75 percent under Phase III. Indoor gatherings are capped at 25 people. Click here to read more about Phase II restrictions.

The release also noted that sports have been a major source of spread, and urged residents and sports organizations to think carefully about how they practice and play.

It urged them to move indoor activities outside, cohort participants, reduce numbers of face-to-face participants, limit sharing equipment, and wear masks. Click here to read the state’s recommendations for sporting activities.

Leng also took to Facebook Friday urging residents to avoid Halloween activities that could spread the virus, including indoor gatherings or trick-or-treating. The Hamden Police Department sent out a press release saying it would increase patrols over the weekend and would be vigilant about preventing Covid-19 violations, including large gatherings. Indoor gatherings are limited to 25 people, and outdoor gatherings to 100.

The mayor’s full press release is copied below.

Hamden Returns to PHASE 2 as Precautionary Measure Against Spread of COVID-19

Hamden – Mayor Curt Leng is announcing to all Hamden residents that Hamden will be returning to PHASE 2 of Coronavirus protocols, as issued by the State of Connecticut. Governor Lamont has advised municipalities to evaluate cases within their communities and to roll-back to Phase 2 precautions if appropriate. In the interest of community safety, Mayor Leng is announcing that Hamden will roll-back to Phase 2 protocols effective 24 hours from the release of this notice. These rollback actions ensure a more manageable, safe level of occupancy that allow for the social distancing that so effectively helped CT to be one of the safest States in the nation over the summer months. The changes this action enacts can be reviewed in clear comparative form by visiting https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DECD/Covid_Business_Recovery-Sept-17-updates/phase-2-vs-phase-3-table.pdf.

Commenting, Mayor Leng said, ​“It is crucial that Hamden take pro-active steps toward mitigating the spread of the virus in our community. While we are all without question experiencing ​“COVID Fatigue” and want things to go back to normal faster, the fact is that COVID-19 is spreading in our State and the trends show it gaining momentum somewhat similar to what we experienced earlier this year. For the health and well-being of our families and neighbors, we need to wear our masks, keep social distancing, wash our hands, stay away from gatherings — especially inside — and follow all of the health guidance that will help protect us. I have no doubt that we can do this together.”

Hamden continues to follow strict guidance from the Governor’s Office, State Health Officials, Quinnipiack Valley Health District, and updates issued by the Center for Disease Control. The State has just recently released a map of Connecticut municipalities that provides updates determining the status-level of COVID-19 spread through the State. This information and more can be viewed by visiting: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker.

Additionally, we’ve been informed by our health experts that sports, along with social gatherings, has become one of the top areas of community covid-19 spread. As such, we ask that you carefully consider the recommendations issued by the State Department of public Health regarding risks associated with sporting activities and other low risk activities. A link to review this guidance is available below. All sports organizations in Hamden are asked to please review these recommendations to ensure that CDC and State protocols and guidance are being followed. Helpful reminders associated with sporting activities are listed below.

• Moving indoor activities outdoors and keeping individuals in small cohorts
 • Increasing and maintaining the distance between participants
 • Implementing rule changes that reduce the number, frequency, duration, and/or exertional level of person-to-person physical contact
 • Limiting the sharing of equipment without appropriate cleaning and disinfection
 • Adding face covering masks that completely cover the nose and mouth to the required equipment for players and coaches

This information and further resources can be found at the following link: https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Communications/Guidance/General-Guidance-for-Youth-and — Amateur-Sport-Activities-during-COVID-19-Pandemic.

With the roll-back to Phase 2 taking effect in Hamden, residents are reminded to limit and prohibit all types and varieties of non-essential gatherings. Hamden Police and the Quinnipiack Valley Health District will be increasing enforcement efforts when notified of gatherings which violate State and Town protocols. Residents are urged to be responsible, to take seriously these efforts to slow the spread within our community, and to remain vigilant about helpful and truly impactful precautions that we can all perform in our daily lives. Residents are reminded:

Residents are reminded to be sure to personally follow and Encourage Healthy Behaviors; as these are some of the most important and highly reccomended actions you can do to assist in prevention efforts.

• Wear your mask whenever in close proximity to others or in public
 • Encourage and engage in frequent hand washing, for a minimum of 20-seconds.
 • Use hand sanitizer with a minimum of 60% alcohol content when you may not be able to wash your hands.
 • Refrain from touching your eyes, mouth, face, and nose.
 • If you are not feeling well, stay home and away from people
 • Cover sneezes and coughs with your arm.
 • Anyone who is not feeling well and especially if you have a fever, should stay home.
 • If you are not feeling well or exhibiting symptoms, you should contact your doctor and discuss or call the State’s Emergency Coronavirus Hotline if you have questions and don’t have a doctor to call. Anyone with questions relating to Coronavirus can call 2 – 1‑1 or text ​“CTVOID” to 898211. The 2 – 1‑1 hotline is available 24 hours a day.
 • Avoid hand shaking and teach others to elbow bump as a means of social greetings.
 • For events or meetings with large numbers of people within arm’s length of each other, encourage those who are at higher risk due to age (70 or older), cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, or chronic lung diseases like COPD, as well as those with severely weakened immune systems, not to attend or dial in.
 • Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious foods.

It is crucial that we as a community follow these simple precautions, as the dangers associated with community and familial spread are real and only increasing. If a family member is sick, make sure they are tested and that you are as well. If a family member has COVID-19, do everything you can to maintain isolation within the home, to clean and sanitize regularly, and to wear your masks. Small actions save lives. Residents wishing to find up-to-date information on testing sites throughout Connecticut may visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Priority-Populations.

Mayor Leng noted, ​“The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. Let’s make sure we consider the risks associated with certain behaviors or activities. Thoughtfully reducing risk in your daily activities will protect those close to you and help protect your community. Count on your local government to work hard to keep you informed as the situation changes and as improved guidance is issued, all with the goal of keeping us safe.”

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut, as well as guidance and other resources, visit https://ct.gov/coronavirus.