The COVID-19 Omicron variant worked its way into the heart of the Westport community in December, leaving the town with the highest monthly case total since the pandemic began in early 2020.

Indeed, the 595 local cases confirmed during the month eclipsed the positivity rate seen throughout the entirety of 2020, the board of health's Tanja Ryden told the Westport Select Board Monday evening.

"We're feeling the effects," she said.

The town's positivity rate is currently 11.2 out of 1,000 residents, well north of the five or less Ryden said the board of health would like to see.

As the variant has descended on the farm coast, it has spared few, including members of both the Westport police and fire departments. Both have seen positive cases go through the roof.

Police Chief Keith Pelletier confirmed Monday that over the course of the year, 30 percent of his officers tested positive at one point or another before recovering and returning to work. Currently, about 10 percent of the department is out with the virus.

The situation has been much the same for the Westport Fire Department. Chief Brian R. Legendre said that out of the department's 21 members, seven — one third — are currently out with COVID. The high numbers are not necessarily surprising, he offered, as the department's members serve as both fire fighters and paramedics and deal with large segments of the population on a daily basis.

The growing number of cases made it difficult to keep all shifts filled in the weeks leading up to the holidays, Legendre said. But "we were able to move personnel around and fill all the shifts."

"We have been a little short staffed, but we're doing the best we can during this time."

Clinics and testing

Those who want to get tested for the virus, or vaccinated against it, have several choices in the coming week.

The board of health is working with Westport Apothecary to offer PCR testing this coming Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the old high school. And on Friday, a vaccine clinic will be held at the same location. All COVID vaccines will be availabe, as well as flu and booster shots.