In the past two weeks, 65 new cases of COVID-19 have been found in Darien, one person was hospitalized and a total of 300 students and employees of the school district have been put in quarantine, First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said Thursday in her CodeRed announcement to the town.

Darien Health Department, in its latest Coronavirus Update, released Thursday, said a total of 2,209 vaccination shots have been administered in town, including 1,101 second shots of the Moderna vaccine and 200 Johnson & Johnson vaccines (which don’t require a second shot). The entire 10-slide report is published at the bottom of this article.

“Local cases and students in quarantine are, unfortunately, on the rise,” she said.

She pointed out that sine COVID-19 symptoms are very similar to seasonal allergy symptoms, when anyone in your family has those symptoms, “you should assume you have COVID-19, and all family members should get tested.”

Stevenson said: “COVID variants are present in our region and are more highly transmissible, particularly within households.”

Any Connecticut resident age 16 and over will be eligible for vaccines starting Thursday, April 1, she added. Expect high demand for vaccines just when the age limit is dropped, but new supplies are coming in within weeks, as well, she said.

“We are all anxious for the pandemic to be behind us but current local trends require a recommitment to adhering to all safety rules — wearing masks, distancing and washing hands — and to staying home and getting tested if you or a family member has any symptoms that could be COVID-19,” she concluded.

Full Text of First Selectman’s Message

Good evening. This is First Selectman Jayme Stevenson with important COVID-19 update for Thursday, March 25.

There have been 65 new cases and 1 hospitalization during the two-week period since March 12th. There are 1,334 total cases from 853 unique households. Darien Public Schools report 25 active cases resulting in 300 quarantines. Local cases and students in quarantine are, unfortunately, on the rise.

Remember, COVID-19 symptoms mirror seasonal allergy symptoms so it is imperative that if you or a family member have any symptoms, you should assume you may have COVID-19, and all family members should get tested.

Please stay home and have your school-aged children stay home until a negative test result is received. Anyone identified as a “close contact” must complete a minimum 10-day quarantine. COVID variants are present in our region and are more highly transmissible, particularly within households.

Vaccine eligibility currently includes anyone 45+ and the governor announced today that the rest of the adult population in Connecticut (anyone 16+) will become eligible on April 1 — earlier than anticipated.

Demand will be significant when eligibility expands on April 1 so please be patient in attempting to schedule your vaccine.

The good news is that supply will also be increasing significantly over the coming weeks. The State’s Vaccine Management System will add filters that help 16- and 17 year-olds find Pfizer-only clinics as the Pfizer vaccine is the only vaccine approved for this age group.

Currently, Darien Vaccine Clinics do not offer Pfizer vaccine but we will be working to procure Pfizer vaccine as soon as possible.

The Governor is working on a plan to provide “accelerated access” in dedicated clinics for younger residents with certain underlying medical conditions. The details of the “accelerated access” plan are not yet available.

Darien vaccine clinics are open to all eligible residents by enrolling through the State’s online Vaccine Enrollment, here, or by calling 1-877-918-2224.

Vaccines are available at Grieb’s Pharmacy, Walgreens, Stamford Hospital, and at certain Stop & Shop pharmacies.

You can find statewide COVID-19 data at CT.gov/Coronavirus and town wide data at DarienCT.gov/Covid19. Please visit CDC.gov for more information on travel recommendations and rules for folks who are fully vaccinated.

We are all anxious for the pandemic to be behind us but current local trends require a recommitment to adhering to all safety rules — wearing masks, distancing and washing hands — and to staying home and getting tested if you or a family member has any symptoms that could be COVID-19.

Thank you and good evening.