On Oct. 22, Old Saybrook was designated by the state as orange, the second-highest level of COVID-19 infections in the state with a range of 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 residents.

The state report was based on a two-week period from Oct. 4 to 17, during which there were 19 new cases in Old Saybrook for an infection rate of 13.5 per 100,000 residents, according to the state’s COVID-19 Response website.

According to a notice from the town’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC), this is a new rating system created by the state Department of Public Health and will be updated each Thursday at 5 p.m.

Towns in the orange and red categories, with red being the highest level, are encouraged to test non-symptomatic residents. High-risk residents should stay at home as much as possible and everyone should avoid large events and limit time with those who are not family members, according to the COVID-19 Response website.

Schools are permitted to continue in-person learning but are asked to “maximize spacing, mask wearing, ventilation, and hygiene.”

Old Saybrook Middle School is currently distance learning, while the high school and elementary school are offering in-person schooling.

Town Hall remains open.

The EOC urged residents to wear masks, wash hands regularly, and limit social gatherings.

More information may be found at portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus.