Derby Lions Club, Griffin Hospital to hold Strides Walk for diabetes awareness

 

Rochelle shares info on COVID-19 testing at Griffin Hospital in Derby

 This is taken from a press release from state Rep. Kara Rochelle, D-Ansonia/Derby.  

Klarides-Ditria: State releases 6 steps used to keep schools open safely

The Connecticut State Department of Education recently released the following six steps it is using to keep schools across our state open safely.

Priority Access to COVID Testing — The State has contracted with testing partners to provide priority access testing for all staff in schools and childcare settings. Priority access is intended for staff who need to get tested quickly, in order to ensure their work day is not interrupted. 

Among the state-contracted partners who support this effort are CHC, Inc., Sema4, and CIC Health. More info can be found at ct.gov/priorityworkforcetest.

BinaxNOWTM COVID Testing — BinaxNOWTM COVID tests are available to all school districts throughout the state to be used for their symptomatic students and staff.

For more information on BinaxNOWTM tests, email: Christopher.lyddy@ct.gov.

Vaccines — In Connecticut, DPH has started the roll-out of Phase 1b which will ultimately include access for all of our school staff. CSDE supported, and Governor Lamont accepted, the recommendation from the Vaccine Allocation Subcommittee to include all school staff in this Phase as frontline essential workers. 

At this time, access to vaccine appointments is only for individuals who are 75 years of age or older because of the high mortality rate for those individuals. CSDE and DPH plan to ensure, when it is appropriate, school staff have fast access to vaccine appointments. Connecticut also continues to implement Phase 1a, which includes school nurses.

Contact Tracing Support — The CSDE has partnered with the Connecticut Association of Schools to match districts with contracted support staff who will increase capacity to assist with contact tracing efforts. School districts interested in getting matched with this support can do so at https://casci.ac/6338.
CSDE/DPH COVID-19 Health and Safety Tuesdays — This is a weekly opportunity for superintendents, health officials, policymakers and other educational partners to engage in dialogue with CT’s Department of Public Health and the CSDE for guidance and strategies for a successful, healthy and safe school year. To date there are over 900 regularly registered participants.
Up-To-Date Guidance and Assistance — The CSDE, in close collaboration with the DPH and other partners in public health and education, continue to issue relevant guidance and provide school districts with technical assistance. This includes, but is not limited to, FAQs, Reopening Plan Addenda, Webinar Training Series, and Data Visualization Tools.

Sincerely,

Naugatuck Valley Health District urges homeowners to test for radon gas

Shared from the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page:

The month of January has been designated as Radon Action Month in Connecticut.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health, the American Lung Association of Connecticut, and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency urge you to test your home for radon, and, if necessary, mitigate high levels, when found.

Radon is a naturally occurring colorless and odorless radioactive gas.

Radon enters the home through small cracks and holes in the basement. At levels above 4 picocuries per liter it can increase one’s risk of getting lung cancer.

Public health officials have found that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer in the U.S., behind cigarette smoking and the leading cause among non-smokers.

If you smoke cigarettes and have radon in your home, then your risk of getting lung cancer is even greater.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an estimated 15,000-30,000 U.S. citizens die from radon-induced lung cancer each year.

“We live in an area of the country where elevated radon levels in homes are quite common,” says Jessica Kristy, Director of Health. “Most of Connecticut is located in a zone where there is a high to moderate potential for having a radon issue in the air or water in one’s home. Yet, very few people are testing for radon. Now is a good time of year to test.”

The only way to find out if your home has radon is to test for it. The heating season is the best time to test for radon because your home is closed up, and radon levels tend to build up indoors. The Department of Public Health, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the American Lung Association of Connecticut are partnering to promote radon testing and mitigation during Radon Action Month.

Call the Naugatuck Valley Health District to receive a free home test kit at 203-881-3255 ext. 108.

Supplies are limited so call today! You can also purchase a test kit by calling the American Lung Association of Connecticut directly at 1-800-LUNG USA or by going online at www.alact.org.

For additional information on radon, contact your local health department at 203-881-3255 or the Connecticut Department of Public Health Radon Program at 860-509-7367 or visit the CT DPH website at https://portal.ct.gov/.../Environment.../Radon/Radon-Program.

DiBacco: 3 AMS Pre-K classrooms closed for 14 days

 

Griffin Health expands COVID-19 testing, opens site in Trumbull, adds hours

Griffin Health has expanded its free COVID-19 testing./ Contributed photo

DERBY - Griffin Health has expanded its free COVID-19 testing in Connecticut with a new drive-through COVID-19 testing site in Trumbull and expanded hours at its sites in Naugatuck, Farmington and Middlebury.

The new testing site opens Tuesday, Dec. 8 at Unity Park on Unity Park Road in Trumbull from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, Griffin’s free COVID-19 drive-through testing sites in Naugatuck, Farmington, and Middlebury will also be open from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Naugatuck testing site is located at Ion Bank, 1430 New Haven Road and is open on Wednesdays. 

The Farmington testing site is located at Tunxis Community College, 271 Scott Swamp Road, and is open on Thursdays. 

The Middlebury testing site is located at Quassy Amusement Park, 2132 Middlebury Road, and is open on Fridays. 

No appointment is necessary for the Trumbull, Naugatuck, Farmington, and Middlebury testing sites.

Griffin’s COVID-19 testing site at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St. is open daily from 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m., with extended hours Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. 

Tests are by appointment only for the Griffin Hospital site. Contact the Griffin Call Center at 203-437-6815 Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Individuals without a doctor’s note for testing can use the promo code “Community” to schedule a test.

All test sites will have results available within 24-48 hours. A valid ID is required for all test sites.

Visit griffinhealth.org/covid for more information.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital. 

 

Drive-thru COVID-19 testing offered at Griffin Hospital in Derby

 

Griffin Health offers COVID-19 testing at Ion Bank in Naugatuck

 

Griffin Hospital in Derby extends weekend hours for COVID-19 testing

 

Derby mayor tests 'positive' for COVID-19, City Hall closed Tuesday for cleaning

Sharing from Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan's Facebook post:

"After feeling slightly “under the weather” starting this past Friday October 9th, I kept a close eye on my symptoms through the weekend. As of last night, I presented with a low-grade fever so I decided to get tested for Covid-19 this morning. Unfortunately, the results from that test have come back “positive.” Other than some cold-like symptoms, I am feeling okay.

"Out of respect for City Hall staff and the residents of Derby, we will be closing City Hall tomorrow Tuesday October 13th to allow for a deep clean of the building. The Naugatuck Valley Health District will be conducting contact tracing efforts and anyone from my staff who was in close contact with me toward the end of last week will be tested through Griffin Hospital.

"I will be following the CDC guidelines related to self-quarantine and isolation and will not be present at City Hall or any events around Derby until and when I am medically cleared to do so. Thank you for your understanding."

*We wish you a speedy recovery, Mr. Mayor!

Abundant Life Fellowship Ministries in Ansonia to hold COVID-19 testing Saturday

Griffin Health in Derby hiring COVID-19 testing workers for nursing facilities in CT

Griffin Hospital, an award winning and independent community-based hospital, is looking to hire COVID-19 Collection Specialists to join a novel effort to contain and understand the spread of COVID-19 in skilled nursing facilities. 

This individual will be traveling with a collection team to perform testing on residents of Connecticut nursing facilities.

· 40 hours per week, contract position, expected to last 13 weeks
· Travel accommodations provided to facilities across the state
· Comprehensive, patient-centered, paid orientation & on-the-job-training provided
· All recommended PPE provided
· Typical Hours: 5:30 am to 2 pm
· Graduates of CNA/PCT/Medical Assistant/Allied Health, Health Sciences & Public Health Majors encouraged to apply

Apply now to make a difference in the current public health crisis. Become a Griffin caregiver today! 

www.indeedjobs.com/griffin-hospital

*Applicant must consent to pre-employment background check, drug screen and physical examination
AA/EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled

*This is shared from the Griffin Hospital Facebook page.

Naugatuck Valley Health District: 13 more COVID-19 associated deaths

Today, NVHD learned of 13 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths among Valley residents. 
While today’s report includes a high number of deaths, the deaths reported occurred between the period of April 24 to May 15. Of the decedents, one individual was a Shelton male in his 40s. The additional 12 deaths were residents of nursing homes in Naugatuck (6) and Shelton (6). 
We extend our sincere condolences to the families of the individuals who have lost their loved ones due to COVID-19 complications.

Griffin Health opens COVID-19 drive-up testing site in Derby

Griffin Health is providing a drive-up collection facility for COVID-19 testing on the Griffin Hospital campus./ Contributed photo 

DERBY - Griffin Health has been approved by the Connecticut Department of Public Health to provide a drive-up collection facility for COVID-19 testing on the Griffin Hospital campus, 130 Division St.

To initiate the testing process at the new collection facility, a person with COVID-19 symptoms will need to have a valid order for the test from a licensed independent healthcare practitioner (MD, DO, APRN, or PA). Patients with a valid order can schedule an appointment at 203-437-6815.

The Griffin Health COVID-19 Drive-Up Test Collection Site is located in the hospital’s upper parking lot near the Community Garden. 

The collection site will operate seven days a week from 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, and from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The site includes a covered testing area and tents for registration and specimen collection. 

Patients should arrive at the test site at their scheduled time where their order and pre-registration will be confirmed. 

Patients will then proceed to the covered testing area. A trained Griffin caregiver will collect a sample using a nasal swab. 

After the sample is collected, patients will be instructed to self-quarantine until they receive the test results and further instruction from their healthcare provider. 

Testing of samples will be conducted by third party laboratories and results will normally be available within 3–5 days.

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Naugatuck Valley Health District offers free radon test kits to residents

SEYMOUR - January is National Radon Action Month and the Naugatuck Valley Health District is recommending residents test their homes for radon gas, the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers.

Naugatuck Valley Health District will hold an educational presentation at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave., Derby, from noon-1 p.m. Jan. 22, where residents can learn about radon and pick up a free radon test kit. 

Space is limited; please register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/Radon2020.

Additional free home radon test kits are available to residents of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Seymour, and Shelton while supplies last. 

Starting Jan. 21, individuals may get one on the second floor of the health district office, 98 Bank St., weekdays from 9-11 a.m. and 1-3 p.m., while supplies last.
Supplies are limited; please call Jamie at 203- 881-3255 x108 to make sure test kits are still available before you head to the office.

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas formed from the natural decay of uranium and is found in rock, soil and water. Although radon in outdoor air poses a relatively low risk to human health, the odorless, colorless and tasteless gas can enter homes, becoming a health hazard. 

There is definitive evidence that exposure to high levels of residential radon over a long period of time can damage the lungs and lead to lung cancer. 

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency radon is responsible for more than 21,000 lung cancer deaths each year in the United States. Testing for radon saves lives and could potentially save yours and the lives of your loved ones.

The EPA recommends that homes with radon levels at or above 4.0 pCi/L be fixed. 

To obtain a list of qualified radon mitigation contractors, please visit the DPH Radon Program web site at www.ct.gov/dph/radon.

Naugatuck Valley Health District offers free radon test kits to homeowners

Did you know that radon levels can vary greatly from home to home? 

The only way to know if your home has a radon problem is to test it. Testing is easy and there are simple solutions to radon problems in homes.

The Naugatuck Valley Health District has free home test kits available.

Call Ali to get yours today. 203-881-3255.

Learn more about radon by downloading the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Citizen’s Guide to Radon:
The Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family from Radon here: http://bit.ly/2hZsNG1

*Information shared from the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page.  

UI to test system at Shelton substation; brief power outage possible

Sharing information from City of Ansonia Facebook page:

Announcement from UI: 
During the early morning hours of Saturday, Aug. 19, United Illuminating will be conducting system testing at its electrical substation in Shelton to maintain the reliability of its energy grid. 

During this procedure, which will be conducted between 3 and 5 a.m., customers in Shelton, Derby, and Ansonia may experience a brief power outage. The outage is expected to last less than five minutes. Customers may wish to check clocks and electronic devices that typically need to be reset following an outage. 

This work is part of UI’s ongoing commitment to providing a safe, reliable energy grid that’s capable of meeting the needs of its customers and communities now and into the future.

Indian Well in Shelton one of 4 state beaches closed by DEEP

Sharing an e-mail from the DEEP sent late Tuesday afternoon:

Four state park beaches are now closed to swimming as a result of elevated bacteria counts detected by water quality testing.

The four beaches – two shoreline and two inland beaches – are:

Sherwood Island, Westport

Silver Sands, Milford

Indian Well, Shelton

Kettletown, Southbury

New test samples were taken at all four locations today and results are expected tomorrow (Wednesday). If tests show bacteria levels have receded, the beaches can be reopened.


The complete State Park Beach Water Quality Report can be viewed at:

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2222&q=320786&deepNav_GID=1654

Crisco: Senate makes change regarding future of 11th grade testing

HARTFORD - The state Senate approved a bipartisan plan today to unburden high school juniors from controversial standardized testing. 

The proposal would end the requirement that 11^th-grade students participate in the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) testing. Instead, students would be able to take a nationally recognized college readiness exam. 

“High school students are practically under siege from testing,” said state Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr. D-Woodbridge. 

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco

“This bill will help us to relieve some of the pressure our students are facing and allow them to focus on their classes. Standardized testing must have a benefit for our students. This bill will help make sure that is the case moving forward.”

“This is a common sense proposal that will open doors of opportunity for Connecticut’s students,” said Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven. “At the same time, we can ease the burden of test-preparation and test-taking on students and teachers alike. I want to thank Sen. Slossberg, Rep. Fleischmann, and the ranking members of the Education Committee for their work on this proposal.”

“By providing a state sponsored, nationally recognized college readiness test in place of the SBAC, we are opening the door to college for students, relieving the stress of over-testing, restoring instruction time to the classroom, and providing a financial benefit to families and towns alike. This is a win for everyone,” said state Sen. Gayle S. Slossberg, D-Milford, Senate Chair of the Education Committee.

SBAC is a Common Core Standards-aligned set of tests that Connecticut administers to students from third grade through eighth grade, and once in high school. Although they are designed as untimed tests, the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium estimates that 11^th-graders will spend a total of eight and one half hours taking English language arts and mathematics assessments.

Legislators have heard objections from principals, teachers, parents, and students regarding the SBAC tests. The most strenuous opposition has focused on the onerous testing burden placed on high school juniors. 

In addition to the SBAC test, many juniors also take the SAT, Advanced Placement Exams, and class finals all within a window of just over a month. 

A survey of more than 1,100 K-12 teachers in Connecticut taken between May 8-15 found that more than 90 percent of participating teachers felt “the time it took to complete the SBAC test caused student frustration and apathy,” and just under 90 percent agreed that SBAC test preparation “takes away significant time and resources from teaching and learning in my classroom.”

More than 97 percent of participating teachers did not agree that SBAC is a useful indicator of school effectiveness, and over 96 percent agreed with the statement, “I generally view the SBAC as an obstacle for my students to overcome”.

There have been vocal pockets of opposition to the test. In one Seattle high school, 100 percent of 11^th-graders opted out of the test in April. Closer to home, Greenwich High School 11^th-graders are facing what some students describe as a marathon, according to the Greenwich Time. 

Many juniors signed up to take the SATs May 2. This was followed by two weeks of Advanced Placement Exams. Some students took the SAT for a second time, and some for the first, on June 6. One week later, final exams took place between June 12 and June 18. 

Legislators noted the advantages of providing a state sponsored entrance exam, helping open the door to college for every student. Thirteen Connecticut school districts currently provide the SAT to students for free.

This is a press release from Crisco's office.