As announced on Friday, the City of Stamford is lifting its city-wide mask mandate starting on Wednesday, February 16, 2022. However, masks would still be required in “hospitals, nursing homes, healthcare and childcare facilities, schools, municipal buildings, and on public transit,” according to a press release issued by the City.
The City reminds that this decision comes on the heels of the recent decline in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in Stamford with the seven-day average pr 100,000 people dropping from 334.3 during the peak of the Omicron wave to 17.3.
“We will continue to carefully monitor COVID-19 trends locally,” said Asha Shah, MD, and Director of Infectious Diseases at Stamford Health. “It’s important that individuals continue to remain vigilant and continue to practice safety measures like practicing hand hygiene, staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and staying home and getting tested when sick or exposed. These are the necessary steps we all need to take to help the favorable trends continue in the community.”
“Due to the measures we’ve implemented over the past few months, I’m proud to announce we are at a place where we can lift the city-wide mask mandate,” said Mayor Simmons. “When we announced the mask mandate, we had hoped to be able to lift it around mid-February. After reviewing the data and thanks to the work of Stamford public health officials, frontline workers and residents who stepped up to get vaccinated, boosted, and followed the mask mandate, we feel confident making this decision at this time. The safety and wellbeing of Stamford residents remains my priority and I still encourage all residents who are eligible to continue getting vaccinated, boosted, wear a mask when it is recommended, and if exposed to COVID-19, take the precautions needed to take care of themselves and their families.”
According to the press release by the City of Stamford, studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms that vaccinations reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19. The City also reminds that people who are fully vaccinated and have the booster dose, if necessary, likely have a stronger protection against COVID-19 than unvaccinated individuals. The City recommends that anyone age 2 or older who is up-to-date with their COVID-19 vaccine should wear a mask indoors in public.
“Masks are still a valuable and important mitigation tool for protecting yourself from respiratory illnesses like COVID-19,” said Stamford’s Medical Advisor Dr. Henry Yoon. “There are many instances, including areas of high transmission, where wearing a mask is recommended.”
“I am proud that so many of our residents have gotten their COVID-19 vaccine,” said Director of Health Jody Bishop-Pullan. “It is important, however, to make sure you are up-to-date with your vaccine, and get a booster when eligible. Booster shots and vaccines for children ages 5-11 are available at all vaccination sites across the City. Study after study has shown that those who are vaccinated are less likely to be admitted to the ICU or develop severe COVID-19 symptoms, and those who are boosted continue to have greater protection, especially against the Omicron variant.”
