Despite a general downward trend in the cases, hospitalizations, and deaths from COVID-19 statewide, several cities and towns continue to see high numbers of cases per 10,000 residents.
The prevalence map for the week ending 5/18 shows the advance of COVID-19 either holding steady or receding in many parts of Connecticut. The average number of cases per 10,000 residents across the state was around 12, down from a high of over 20 in mid-April.
The map also shows eight towns where the number of cases per 10,000 residents had shot up over 30. Somers, where 105 inmates at Osborn Correctional Center tested positive for the virus this week, was hardest hit. Somers, a town of 10,834, saw 126 new cases. That comes out to 116.30 new cases per 10,000 residents. Inmates are counted as residents of Somers in state statistics.
Case Prevalence Per 10,000 By Town
For the Week Ending May 18
Nearby East Windsor, which has a population of 11,375, had 55 new cases, which equals 48.35 new cases per 10,000 residents. Two other towns just north of Hartford, Windsor and Bloomfield, also had high prevalence numbers. Bloomfield, with a population 21,301, had 73 new cases, or 34.27 new cases per 10,000 residents. Windsor, population 28,760, saw 96 new cases, which equals 33.38 new cases per 10,000 residents.
Rocky Hill, just south of Hartford, had 68 new cases, or 33.76 new cases per 10,000 residents.
Cities continued to suffer high numbers of cases relative to population. Bridgeport had 449 new cases, or 30.99 new cases per 10,000 residents, while Hartford saw 423 new cases, or 30.99 new cases per 10,000 residents.
And then there was tiny Sharon, population 2,703. Sharon is home to the Sharon Health Care Center, which is one of the nursing homes in Connecticut designated to work only with COVID-19 patients. That town saw 19 new cases this past week, which works out to 70.29 cases per 10,000 people.
All of the towns with the greatest prevalence numbers, except Bridgeport and Sharon, were in Hartford County.
Gov. Ned Lamont has ordered the relaxation of restrictions on certain businesses, with strict guidelines, beginning this Wednesday, May 20.