Naugatuck Valley Health District slates diabetes workshop

Naugatuck Valley Health District is offering an in-person session of the popular Live Well with Diabetes workshop for adults in the Naugatuck Valley area with diabetes or pre-diabetes or those that care for someone with diabetes.

This program helps them learn new skills to manage their diabetes. Once a week for six weeks, two trained Live Well leaders will facilitate the two-hour group sessions at Naugatuck Valley Health District, located at 98 Bank St., Seymour.

Participants will learn about healthy eating, high and low blood sugar, being active, sick day guidelines, tips for dealing with stress, foot care, making weekly action plans, and how to set small and achievable goals.

A new group is starting on Tuesdays from May 10-June 14 from 1-3:30 p.m. To sign up, call 203-881-3255 x107.

Don’t wait! Sign up now! Class size is limited to 16 participants and pre-registration is required.

Naugatuck Valley Health District inspects food safety after power outages

Sharing Health District Facebook post from today:

 

"To all of our Valley food service establishments and their patrons, thank you for your patience while the Naugatuck Valley Health District Environmental Health Services staff, our Sanitarians, work hard to conduct food service establishment reopen inspections in response to #TropicalStormIsaias to ensure food safety after the power outages."

 

Naugatuck Valley Health District: Good news

Sharing message received Wednesday evening from Jessica Stelmaszek, MPH, Director of Health:

There were no new cases [of COVID-19] reported today for the NVHD jurisdiction. 

Thank you, 
Jess

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 1 more COVID-19 associated death

Sharing a press release from Jessica Stelmaszek, MPH, Director of Health:

"Attached please find the latest update on behalf of NVHD. 
Highlights: 1 new case; 1 reported COVID-19- associated death that occurred 7/3."

Naugatuck Valley Health District: No new COVID-19 associated deaths

Naugatuck Valley Health District: No additional COVID-19 associated deaths

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 5 more COVID-19 associated deaths

From the NVHD Facebook page Friday evening:


"Today, NVHD learned of five laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths among Valley residents. One individual was a Naugatuck female in her 70s and another individual was an Ansonia male in his 60s. The additional 3 deaths were residents of nursing homes in Seymour (1) and Shelton (2). We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the individuals who have lost their loved ones due to COVID-19 complications.

"Deaths reported to and by NVHD occurred within the last week, not necessarily since the last NVHD report. 
"For public health surveillance, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths are defined as patients who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death; this is not a determination of the cause of death. The health district does not have further details including whether there may have been underlying health issues or other contributing factors.

"On April 10, 2020, the state Department of Public Health started to include COVID-19 deaths that are not laboratory-confirmed in daily reporting. 
"NVHD will now report on COVID-19 associated deaths including both a) persons who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death (laboratory-confirmed) and b) persons who were not tested for COVID-19 whose death certificate lists COVID-19 disease as a cause of death or as a significant condition contributing to deaths (probable) in Table 2.

"NVHD has linked free mental health and wellness resources for individuals, families, and first responders who may be experiencing heightened anxiety, stress, and other emotions during this pandemic at www.nvhd.org/coping."

For more information, visit the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page.

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 2 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 2 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 6 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Since our last update on Monday, April 26, Naugatuck Valley Health District has received 11 new reports of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 cases across the Valley, bringing the district’s total to 989 cases.

261 (~26%) of the 989 confirmed cases among Valley residents, are individuals who currently reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, or other similar setting. Please be advised that some towns have multiple facilities reporting COVID-19 cases.

93 (~35%) of the 261 individuals have passed away due to COVID-19 complications. Please see pages 3-4 for additional information and data related to COVID-19 associated deaths.

Today, NVHD learned of six laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths, all residents of nursing homes within Seymour (5) and Shelton (1). We extend our sincerest condolences to the families and friends of those who have passed away due to COVID-19 complications.

The deaths reported to NVHD today occurred within the last week, not necessarily since the last NVHD report. For public health surveillance, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths are defined as patients who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death; this is not a determination of the cause of death. The health district does not have further details including whether there may have been underlying health issues or other contributing factors.

Statewide COVD-19 data is available at https://portal.ct.gov/coronavirus and is also linked on the NVHD website www.nvhd.org/covid19-data.

As a reminder, all data reported is preliminary and subject to change. Test results may be reported several days after the result. 

Patient information may be updated after results have already been reported. Changes will be reflected in the new daily totals.

NVHD receives data and confirmation reports from the following sources: CT Department of Public Health, Hospitals, Healthcare Providers, Laboratories, and the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Sometimes, the local health department receives reports before the State DPH and therefore the numbers reported by NVHD may differ from the daily report on the State of CT website.

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 5 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Naugatuck Valley Health District: COVID-19 cases in Valley expected to rise

Below message was posted Monday evening on the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page:

"It is evident that we are in the acceleration phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning we are consistently receiving an increasing number of cases. With an increasing number of cases, we can expect that we will continue to an increase number of COVID-19 related deaths. We expect the Valley cases to continue to rise over the next few days. We will continue to remain in this phase until we are consistently seeing declining cases, at which point we move into the deceleration phase of the pandemic.

NVHD was made aware of eight additional COVID-19 associated deaths, bringing to the total to 18. Seven were among Shelton residents in addition to the first COVID-19 associated death in Seymour. A new table with COVID-19 associated deaths is included below.

"Today marks the first day of National Public Health Week, a week dedicated to promoting and advocating for different public health topics. Quite fittingly, today’s topic is behavioral health. If you are experiencing anxiety or stress related to COVID-19, there are resources available. 

"Please visit http://www.nvhd.org/coping/ or utilize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUs to 66746. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911.

For public health surveillance, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths are defined as patients who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death; this is not a determination of the cause of death.

Of the total deceased, sixteen were residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The COVID-19 related deaths reported by NVHD have been confirmed through laboratory testing. Suspected COVID-19 related deaths are not being reported by NVHD.

As of 7:30 PM on Monday, April 6, 2020, 95 (34%) of the 279 confirmed cases among Valley residents, are individuals who currently reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, or other similar setting.

Please be advised that some towns have multiple facilities reporting COVID-19 cases. Cases are reported by the individuals permanent address, not the town of the facility in which they may be receiving treatment or recovering. This data is subject to change since some individuals may end up leaving a facility to recover at their permanent place of residence.

When an individual or worker tests positive for COVID-19 within an assisted living facility and/or nursing home, the investigation is led by the State Department of Public Health (DPH) and the State Facility Licensing and Investigation Section (FLIS). The NVHD remains in communication with the facilities as well as our state agency partners during the investigation."