Reporting on the State of Connecticut’s Summary of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and tests.
The State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 metric report is now issued five times per week, every Monday through Friday. This report contains combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
A complete listing of all COVID-19 cases and analyses by age, hospitalizations, deaths, towns and county is reported by the Connecticut State Department of Health. This information can be found by following the link below:
https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/CTDPHCOVID19summary9042020.pdf
LOCAL RESULTS
Total Reported
To Date Change from Probable
Yesterday Cases
Westport Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State 339 +0 14
Weston Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State 86 +0 3
Town specific COVID-19 Tests, Cases, and Deaths can be found at the following link:
https://data.ct.gov/Health-and-Human-Services/COVID-19-Tests-Cases-and-Deaths-By-Town-/28fr-iqnx
These Have Been Stressful Times
September is National Suicide Prevention Month: Throughout the month, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness. This important initiative is timelier than ever. Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a report on the state of mental health, providing a closer look into the effects of shutdowns in response to the spread of COVID-19. The researchers reported that 11% of American adults have “reported having seriously considered suicide in the 30 days before completing the survey.” This feeling was expressed much more among certain demographic groups. For example, over one-quarter of those aged 18-24 reported having suicidal thoughts in the last 30 days. The report also found an increase in symptoms directly tied to the pandemic. Twenty-six percent of individuals surveyed reported symptoms of a trauma or stressor-related disorder related to COVID-19. Thirteen percent also reported starting or increasing substance use to cope with pandemic-related stress. (CDC link: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6932a1.htm)
The results come as health care providers and advocates have been warning about the secondary health effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. There is concern over increased alcohol sales and consumption, drug use, over doses, etc. and that the economic and health stress over the pandemic could worsen one’s overall mental health. Symptoms of anxiety and depression, substance use and suicidal thoughts have increased this year when compared to the same time last year, with over 40 percent of individuals in June reporting an adverse mental or behavioral health condition, according to the CDC report.
Help is available. #BeThe1To is the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline’s message for National Suicide Prevention Month which helps spread the word about the actions we can all take to prevent suicide. The Lifeline network, along with regional and local partners like The HUB: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT is working to give hope. According to www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org, research shows that people who are having thoughts of suicide feel relief when someone asks after them in a caring way. Individuals are more likely to feel less depressed, less suicidal, less overwhelmed, and more hopeful after speaking to someone who listens without judgment. If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out and consider the resources below:
The Hub: Behavioral Health Action Organization for Southwestern CT
A division of the Regional Youth Adult Social Action Partnership (RYASAP)
1 Park Street, Norwalk, CT 06851
Find resources at www.TheHubCT.org
Support for teens & young adults: www.TurningPointCT.org @turningpointct
SMART Recovery support groups: www.TurningPointCT.org/smart
