In an effort to shield nursing homes from new COVID-19 cases, state focuses on short-term residents Clockwise from foreground, residents Connie Romeo and Mary Flannery, certified nursing assistant Sam Ortiz, and residents Sofia Agranovich and Pat McFarlane talk as they eat lunch March 10, 2021, at Beechwood in New London. Health officials know how quickly a single infection can trigger a large outbreak, and they have turned their attention to a small but significant population: unvaccinated, short-term nursing home residents. (Sarah Gordon/The Day) Published April 06. 2021 7:51PM | Updated April 06. 2021 8:09PM JENNA CARLESSO, The Connecticut Mirror Four months ago, even as the coronavirus vaccine was making its way to Connecticut and the promise of protection drew close to reality, nursing homes were weathering another increase in COVID-19 cases.