With Numbers Improving, Stamford Ends COVID-19 Briefings

Stamford CT

16 March, 2022

3:29 PM

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STAMFORD, CT — With COVID-19 numbers continuing to improve each week, the city of Stamford held its final scheduled briefing on the pandemic Tuesday night. "Fortunately we're in a much better place now, and we're delighted that we're taking this positive turn and coming out of this pandemic," Mayor Caroline Simmons said. Simmons was joined by the city's medical advisor Dr. Henry Yoon, Acting Health Director Jody Bishop-Pullan, and Director of Public Safety Ted Jankowski. "This will be our last [briefing] for a while, hopefully forever, but at least for the foreseeable future," Simmons said. According to the latest update, Stamford is now experiencing 8.1 cases per 100,000 residents, down considerably from a peak of 320 in January when the contagious omicron variant of the coronavirus first circulated. The positivity rate is currently at 2.62 percent, down from an eye-opening 38 percent in January. Hospitalizations in Fairfield County have also decreased. In January, Simmons said 504 COVID-19 patients were hospitalized, compared to 36 now. "These numbers aren't by accident. This was due to extraordinary collaboration and work and compliance from all of our residents and all of our business owners, our first responders and medical professionals," Simmons said. "This was really a group and community-wide effort that led to this decline in numbers." Last month, Simmons lifted the city-wide mask mandate for businesses and municipal buildings. On March 2, masking became optional in Stamford public schools. Simmons thanked her team for their work in battling the pandemic. She encouraged residents to enjoy the warmer weather that's on the horizon. "Please enjoy the wonderful small businesses and restaurants we have in Stamford," she added. Simmons also urged residents to practice common sense and be safe. "If you haven't yet, get vaccinated, get boosted because there's always a possibility this could return in the future. That's the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting COVID or spreading it," she said. COVID-19 information will continue to be available on the city's website.