Case Prevalence Per 10,000, By Town
For the week ending July 1
This week’s prevalence map, which measures the number of positive cases of COVID-19 per 10,000 people for each town for the past week, is very similar in many ways to the map that appeared two weeks ago. It seems ever so slightly worse than last week’s.
This is significant, because the past few maps have showed steady improvement. This week’s map does not. In terms of raw case numbers and case prevalence, we’ve stopped trending downward and have bounced back up a little.
What does this mean? Has the recovery stalled out?
Probably not, at least not yet. And in fact, there are many reasons to be hopeful that aren’t visible on the map. But it’s a reminder that this virus is stubborn, and that we must continue to be conscientious and vigilant. It’s also a reminder that Connecticut is not an island, and that we’re not immune to the skyrocketing infections happening elsewhere in the country.
What we don’t see on the map is the record-breaking number of tests. The state reported over 20,000 tests on Tuesday, June 30, and another 10,000 on Wednesday, July 1. In total, there were 75,471 tests reported from June 24-July 1, which is a full 15% of all tests given since the epidemic began in March.
So yes, case numbers did go up. This is to be expected with a much higher rate of testing. But what’s significant is that the percentage of tests that came back positive, 659, was a very, very low 0.08%.
By comparison, from June 17 to June 24 there were 34,475 tests reported, and 484 of them, or about 1.4%, were positive. So although there were fewer positive results, a higher percentage of the tests administered came back positive.
So, no, the recovery has not stalled out. Better, the vast increase in testing shows that Connecticut is ready should spikes elsewhere in the United States threaten the progress we’ve made.
That said, it’s a great idea to stay away from any large gatherings this Fourth of July weekend, and to keep wearing that mask whenever you’re in public. What better way to celebrate America than by keeping Americans safe?
Here is last week’s map for comparison.
Case Prevalence Per 10,000, By Town
For the Week Ending June 24
Susan Bigelow is an award-winning columnist and the founder of CTLocalPolitics. She lives in Enfield with her wife and their cats.
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