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/CTDPHCOVID19summary9142020.pdf
LOCAL RESULTS
Total Reported
To Date Change from Probable
Yesterday Cases
Westport Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State 352 +4 15
Weston Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State 86 +0 4
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
Watch Your Back While Heading Back to School
Your child’s backpack is likely loaded up with books, school supplies, and probably a few extra masks and hand sanitizer this year, but have you given thought to how heavy it is? Do you know how much your child’s backpack weighs? If it’s more than 10% of their body weight, it’s too heavy.
Take a moment to check what your child carries back and forth to school and make sure the items are necessary. If the backpack is too heavy or tightly packed, encourage your student to carry some of the items another way. If the backpack is too heavy on a regular basis, a book bag on wheels may be the way to go, if your child’s school allows it.
A proper fitting backpack is a good way to prevent physical pain and promote wellness. The American Occupational Therapy Association offers the following tips:
- Distribute weight evenly by using both straps. Wearing a pack slung over one shoulder can cause a child to lean to one side, curving the spine and causing pain or discomfort.
- Select a pack with well-padded shoulder straps. Shoulders and necks have many blood vessels and nerves that can cause pain and tingling in the neck, arms, and hands when too much pressure is applied.
- Adjust the shoulder straps so that the pack fits snugly on the child’s back. A pack that hangs loosely from the back can pull the child backwards and strain muscles.
- Wear the waist belt if the backpack has one. This helps distribute the pack’s weight more evenly. The bottom of the pack should rest in the curve of the lower back. It should never rest more than four inches below the child’s waistline.
- School backpacks come in different sizes for different ages. Choose the right size together.
Safety Tips for Distance Learners
- While heavy backpacks are not a problem for virtual learners, poor posture at a desk can cause discomfort when working from home. Remind your child to sit up straight. Start with a chair that’s comfortable for your student. It’s okay to alternate between sitting on a bed or a couch, standing at a countertop, or lounging on a beanbag chair, but remind children to change positions and vary their posture often.
- Notebook computers can produce heat and can get especially hot when placed on a student’s lap. Be sure to use a lap desk or barrier when possible.
- Prevent eye strain by encouraging breaks from the screen every 20 minutes. Advise your student to look at least 20 feet away every 20 minutes to adjust their gaze.
- Eye strain and poor posture can occur when using a small screen. If available, a larger monitor or a cable to connect the small device to a TV screen for easier viewing can be used.
- Using a notebook computer or tablet all day can be hard on the hands and wrists. If available, consider connecting to an external keyboard and mouse to minimize any discomfort. Many devices accommodate dictation to eliminate or reduce the need to type.
To learn more ergonomic and safety tips, visit https://communot.aota.org/blogs/katie-riley/2020/09/08/7-ways-to-promote-students-ergonomic-health-during