www.plainvillecitizen.com
Volume 20, Number 16
Thursday, April 15, 2021
A lifeline for many
COVID UPDATE
73 new cases reported in Plainville
April 11 to 17 is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. The Association of PublicSafety Communications Officials states: "Every year during the second week of April telecommunications personnel in the public safety community are honored. This week-long event, initially set up in 1981 by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s Office in California, is a time to celebrate and thank those who dedicate their lives to serving the public. It is a week that should be set aside so everyone can be made aware of their hard work and dedication." The Plainville Police Department used its Facebook page to acknowledge National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week and the unsung heroes it shines a light on. The Plainville PD post, which includes the photo below, states: See Lifeline, A26
Wheeler YMCA primed for an exciting summer By Michael Luciano Special to The Citizen
From June 14 to Aug. 27, the Y will host 11 sessions of Camp Wheeler spanning 3 to 4 days each for youngsters age 4 to 12 and 13 to 14. Campers will participate in activities such as swimming, archery and field games. In addition to the camp program, during the summer, the YMCA will hold other activities for youngsters throughout the week. Wednesdays will have indoor archery and teen co-ed volleyball. Thursdays, there will be “Sports of All Sports” sessions, and Fridays will feature archery and teen night basketball.
The state’s most recent report, issued April 8, showed 73 positive cases in Plainville. That works out to an average of 29.6 daily cases per 100,000 people. As of April 11, the total of laboratory-confirmed and probable COVID19 cases reported among Connecticut residents was 324,571 and 524 patients were hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19. There had been 7,957 COVID-19-associated deaths in the state.
For new Wheeler YMCA Youth Development Director Derek Destefano, transitioning to his position has been smooth, and he’s eager to welcome the community to the Y’s summer programs. “We’re really taking pride in the programs coming up. We’re trying to reach not just our own youth, but teens and adults as well. We want our community to see and embrace what we have available,” Destefano said. “I’m really excited about these programs and different ideas the team has had. We want the community to know we’re here for them.”
Plainville, and nearly every other Connecticut municipality, remain in the coronavirus red zone. The color coded status for cities and towns represents two weeks of cases. The trigger for top-of-the-chart red status starts at a rate of 15 cases per 100,000 people per day.
To schedule a vaccination appointment, people may contact: Wheeler YMCA summer campers.
Weekends will be busy, too, with tball and co-ed basketball clinics being offered. “We want to promote a healthy lifestyle and positive mindset with everything the Y is offering. We’re in the community and want to help,” Destefano said. “We want to get members of the community back inside our YMCA branch, get them involved, and really create something special.” When it comes to safety in the time of COVID-19, Destefano said the measures the Y takes go “above and beyond.” “We’re constantly following OEC guidelines and state mandates, but also have our own YMCA guidelines. If something changes, we’ll take a look at our guidelines and say ‘okay, See YMCA, A26
VAMS online system: The Vaccine Administration Management System can be used to schedule appointments. Vaccine Appointment Assist Line: Call 877-918-2224. Hartford HealthCare: Hartford HealthCare has multiple locations. Go to hartfordhealthcare.org. Yale New Haven Health: Yale New Haven Hospital has multiple locations. Go to ynhhs.org. Walgreens: Walgreens is offering the vaccine at many locations. Go to walgreens.com. CVS: CVS is offering the vaccine at many locations. Go to cvs.com. Walmart: Walmart is offering the vaccine at many locations. Go to walmart.com. — Citizen report