Good Afternoon,
This is First Selectman Vicki Tesoro with an important COVID -19 vaccine update.
I want to provide an update of the vaccine distribution and clarify some misconceptions.
The Town of Trumbull does not determine who can receive a vaccination or when. All such guidance comes directly from the State of CT.
The decisions by the State are guided by the Governor's advisory group and the CDC.
We are presently in phase 1A of the vaccination process. This phase, which began in December includes only the following people:
Healthcare Personnel: All paid and unpaid persons serving in healthcare settings who have the potential for direct or indirect exposure to patients of infectious materials.
Long Term Care Facility Residents: Adults who reside in facilities that provide a range of services, including medical and personal care, to persons who are unable to live independently.
First Responders at risk of exposure to COVID-19 through their response to medical emergencies such as Emergency Medical Technicians, Police, and Fire
Trumbull's Health Director and I personally met with LT Governor Bysiewicz last week and we requested that the State both speed up the delivery of the vaccine to the towns and also move us to the next phase of the vaccine distribution as quickly as possible.
As of this week 100,000 doses of the vaccine have been administered to Connecticut residents in Phase 1A. Vaccines are currently being distributed by local health departments and hospitals. Here in Trumbull our local health department is coordinating vaccine distribution per the State plan. (Not every local health department is offering vaccine clinics.)
Initial guidance from the State about the next phase of the vaccine distribution, Phase 1B was issued yesterday. This phase, which will begin this month includes the following people:
- Front line essential workers – Education & Childcare, First Responders & Public Safety, Transportation, Direct Care Social Services, Food & Grocery, Agriculture & Farm, and Manufacturing
- Individuals and staff in congregate settings, and
- Individuals 75 and older (please see additional info below) *
When you are eligible for a vaccination, you will work through your physician, or the employer coordinator at your workplace. Vaccines will be administered in a wide range of places: physician's offices, hospitals, pharmacies, and health departments. More information will be issued soon.
*Information from the State of Connecticut on scheduling a vaccination for people 75 and older is coming soon. This information from the State will be posted with guidance and instruction at CT's main COVID-19 Vaccination Portal as early as next week. At that time you may also wish to talk to your provider about getting access to the vaccine.
I want to thank many of our town residents including nurses and other medical personnel who have volunteered to help administer the vaccinations. As we move into these next phases their assistance will be invaluable.
I understand this is frustrating for all of us but I ask for your patience as this process unfolds.
As of last Thursday, Trumbull's test positivity rate was 7%. Sadly we have had 5 deaths since this surge began in the fall.
The U.S Small Business Administration, announced on Friday, January 8, 2021 that the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) will re-open the week of January 11 for new borrowers and certain existing PPP borrowers.
Officials in Connecticut have confirmed that the first two cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 have been detected in the state. This is the same variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom. Currently it is assumed that this new strain is associated with increased transmission and it is associated with a steep rise in COVID-19 cases in the United Kingdom. It is not, however, assumed to be more deadly, nor is it expected that it will have a significant impact on vaccine effectiveness.
Please remain vigilant in dealing with this virus by continuing to practice social distancing and following the Governor's executive orders that require all residents to wear a mask or a cloth face covering when in public and a six-foot distance is unavoidable, whether indoors or outdoors. This does not apply to anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to their health because of a medical condition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4
During these difficult times please check on your elderly neighbors.
If you or anyone you know is struggling to purchase food or can’t get to the store, please contact Social Services 203-452-5198 for this and other services.
Stay well and stay safe.
Thanks for listening!
COVID-19 Information and State of Connecticut Guidance
Governor Lamont Announces Two Cases of COVID-19 Variant Confirmed in Connecticut
Governor Ned Lamont today announced that public health officials in Connecticut have confirmed that the first two cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 have been detected in the state. This is the same variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom.
The two individuals are between the ages of 15 and 25 and both reside in New Haven County. Both individuals recently traveled outside Connecticut – one to Ireland and the other to New York State – and both developed symptoms within 3 to 4 days of their return. Genetic sequencing of the virus has confirmed that the two cases are unrelated. The individuals' specimens were collected earlier this month and subsequently tested positive.
COVID-19 Vaccine Information
Information from the Tax Collector's Office
To protect the public and Town Employees the Tax Collector's office at Town Hall is closed to the public. Tax payments can be made online, by mail, or in a drop-box at Town Hall.
Go to
https://www.trumbull-ct.gov/285/Online-Tax-InquiryPayment-System or make your check payable to "Trumbull Tax Collector" and mail to Trumbull Town Hall, Tax Collector, 5866 Main Street, Trumbull, CT 06611. The drop-box is located inside the front entrance of Town Hall, (at the door near the parking lot and brick walk), but is only accessible Monday through Thursday, 9 AM to 5 PM. No cash will be accepted in this box. Please call 203 452-5024 with any questions.
In accordance with Governor Lamont's Executive Order 9R issued on December 16th, I have decided that the municipal tax deferment (postponement) program approved by the Trumbull Town Council on 4/21/2020 giving taxpayers the ability to postpone payment of their local property taxes will be applied to the tax bills that will become due and payable on January 1, 2021.
The last day for payment of these taxes without interest is extended from Monday, February 1, 2021 to Thursday, April 1, 2021.
This postponement will apply to the following municipal taxes and fees that will become due on January 1, 2021:
- Real Estate Tax -- 3rd installment of 2019 Grand List
- Motor Vehicle Tax -- 2nd installment of 2019 Grand List
- Supplemental Motor Vehicle Tax -- 2019 Grand List
- Personal Property Tax -- 2nd installment of 2019 Grand List
- 2020 Sewer Assessment -- 3rd installment
This postponement does not apply to real estate accounts in escrow and paid by a bank. Please understand that January payments made after April 1, 2021 will bear interest at the rate of 1-1/2% per month, so that a payment made on April 2, for example, will require payment of 6% interest.
Landlords must qualify to be considered eligible by filing an application with the Tax Assessor’s Office. The application deadline is January 15, 2021. Questions: call the Tax Assessor’s Office at 203-452-5016.
Attorney General Tong and Consumer Protection Commissioner Seagull warn Connecticut residents of potential stimulus check scams:
Attorney General William Tong and Connecticut Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull are warning Connecticut residents to be on the lookout for potential scams involving the second round of stimulus checks from the federal government.
Stimulus checks from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began arriving this week for many people after the federal government enacted a $900 billion economic stimulus package, the second in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and Department of Consumer Protection warn that bad actors looking to steal Americans' personal information and money might not be far behind.
Attorney General Tong and Commissioner Seagull offer these tips to prevent falling victim to a scam artist:
- The federal government will not ask you to pay money upfront to receive a stimulus check. No fees. No charges.
- The federal government will never call to ask for your Social Security number, bank account number, or credit card number. Anyone who asks for this personal identifying information is a scammer.
- No matter how the payment is disbursed, only a scammer will ask you to pay to receive it.
- Some people will receive the payment in the form of an Economic Impact Payments (EIP) prepaid card. The card is not a scam, and there are ways to cash or use the card without fees.
Anyone who receives a suspicious phone call, email, or text message, can report it to the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5000 or attorney.general@ct.gov, or with the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection at dcp.complaints@ct.gov.
New COVID-10 App:
COVID-19 Testing Information
See the following links for COVID-19 testing information:
COVID-19 Information
Please review the information here for 3 key steps to take while waiting for a COVID test results.
Flu Vaccination Information
The Trumbull Health Department is open to the public by appointment only. Flu vaccines are available. Please call 203-452-1030 in advance to schedule an appointment.
Travel Advisory Information
The travel advisory for anyone entering Connecticut from states with high community spread of COVID-19 is still in effect. This advisory was updated on December 18, 2020. Please see the Town website for more information.
https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Travel
Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker
The State of Connecticut's COVID-19 metric report is issued once per day, every Monday through Friday, usually around 4:00 p.m. The report that is issued each Monday contains combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker
Trumbull COVID-19 Dashboard
A series of live case data, graphs, and information can be viewed on our Trumbull COVID-19 Dashboard. Data presented is live and will be continuously updated to provide residents with the most up-to-date information.
https://veoci.com/veoci/p/dashboard/pxa54xvx6s
Phase 2.1
The changes in this phase include limiting private gatherings to 10 people, reducing capacity at restaurants to 50% and establishing a closing time of 10 PM for restaurants, entertainment, and recreation venues. Attendance at sporting events and religious gatherings are also reduced.
More specific details are as follows:
The major changes that will occur under Phase 2.1 include:
- Restaurants will reduce to 50 percent capacity with a maximum of 8 people limited to a table;
- Restaurants and entertainment venues (i.e. bowling allies, movie theaters, arcades, etc.) will be required to close by 10 p.m., with the exception of food takeout and delivery services, which will be allowed to continue after 9:30 p.m.;
- Personal services, such as hair salons and barber shops, will remain at 75 percent capacity;
- Event venues will be limited to 25 people indoor, 50 people outdoor;
- Performing arts venues and movie theaters will have a capacity of 100 people; and
- Religious gatherings will be limited to 50 percent capacity or 100 people maximum.
Employers are reminded to maximize telework to the extent possible, and those over 60 and with chronic conditions are urged to remain home as much as possible.
State Guidance Regarding Team Sports, as well as Gyms and Fitness Centers
The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development published updated sector rules regarding team sports, as well as gyms and fitness centers. These rules took effect Monday, November 23, 2020.
Some of the new rules include:
- All team sporting activities, except collegiate and professional, are prohibited until January 19, 2021.
- All team scrimmages, competitions, camps, clinics, and tournaments including all interscholastic, "pick-up" games, and other informal athletic activities prohibited.
- "Team" is defined as a group of more than four people jointly engaged in an organized or recreational athletic activity on a court, field, etc.
- Masks are now required in all gyms and fitness centers with no exceptions.
- Fitness classes have been reduced to 25 percent capacity.
Please see the Town website for additional information.