Bethel's rate of new cases has risen over the past month from 12 per day per 100,000 population to over 53 in the last update.  First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says the most significant single factor in these new cases is small get-togethers. He says some of the November surge may be related to Halloween activities.  Knickerbocker added that with many people traveling this past Thanksgiving weekend, health care professionals are bracing for an even bigger surge over the next few weeks.  He is asking the community to be extra diligent this holiday season.