New London Hospital (NLH) has made the difficult decision not to hold Hospital Days in August 2021 in its traditional format, despite decreasing active COVID-19 cases and increased vaccine availability.

“We are heartbroken to make this decision a second year in a row,” says Tom Manion, NLH CEO and president. “For 97 years, Hospital Days has been the foundation on which we build our community engagement. However, in good conscience, we cannot move forward with the traditional flagship activities including the Midway, Parade, Triathlon, and other associated events that draw large crowds. It would be a public health risk to do so.”

Hospital Days is a family-friendly event, and NLH is committed to the safety of the entire community, so moving forward with flagship activities is unfeasible at this time. Key factors involved in this decision included uncertainty about the rollout of vaccines for all populations, the impact of emerging COVID-19 variants, and the unavailability of vaccines for children.

“We are continuously evaluating the COVID-19 landscape and exploring other activities that could involve community engagement without large gatherings,” Manion explains. “Possible activities under consideration would land between virtual and large in-person events. We hope to announce those opportunities in late spring or early summer.”

The providers and staff of NLH thank our community members for their dedicated and continued support. NLH looks forward to sharing Hospital Days with the community this year in a modified capacity.