Coronavirus Update- 15 New Cases, New Restrictions, EO 9K, Health Advisories, Ramping Up Testing & Case Data
November 5th –The following are highlights from today’s CT DPH report versus Tuesday’s November 3rd report.
- Reporting definitions have been updated to include antigen testing. 530 statewide positive antigen tests results from August through November were added to today’s report. We were not provided with a breakdown by town.
- Wilton: 15 new cases reported. We expected a slightly lower number of cases, so it is possible that cases reported included a couple of older antigen test results. It is also possible that they did not.
- Wilton: 33 new cases in the last 7 days, 7 of which were at one assisted living facility, compared to 19 cases in the previous 7 days.
- Statewide: 1,687 new cases, excluding the 530 catch up results. 3.87% of new tests reported were positive.
- Fairfield County: 845 new cases.
- Hospitalized Patients: Statewide, 1-net patient decrease. Fairfield County, no change.
- Deaths: Statewide, 21. Fairfield County, 3.
Wilton’s known new cases ranged from ages 2 to 45. Cases included spread through sports, childcare and within households. Wilton Health Department personnel are monitoring a good number of residents who have been exposed to the virus.
Wilton’s current 14-day average daily cases is 20. On October 28th, it was 12. On October 21st, it was 6. The spread is happening very quickly. As was demonstrated in the spring, it takes much longer to bring down the spread than it takes to increase the spread. If you have stopped doing so, it is now critical to behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.
Today, CT DPH released community alert classifications as of last Saturday. With the exception of Weston, all lower Fairfield County communities are classified as red or orange alert. 70% of the State’s population lived in a red or orange alert community. That number would be higher if calculated as of today.
On a call today, CT’s DPH Commissioner stated the most significant source of statewide spread is small gatherings, including restaurant dining, private home indoor/outdoor gatherings and events. Actions taken today by the Governor were intended to slow that spread.
New Restrictions:
At part of the Governor’s decision to move back to a modified version of Phase 2, he issued Executive Order 9K effective 12:01 a.m. tomorrow (Friday) which, among others, reduced gathering sizes, empowered the DECD Commissioner to impose rules for sports and mandatory closing times and extended orders allowing outdoor dining.
As of this hour, the DECD Commissioner had not yet released new sector rules, but he released the following. Please note that any gathering previously planned for this Friday through Sunday is grandfathered and is allow to follow the Phase 3 gathering size:
- Mandatory closing times: 10:00 p.m. 7 days per week for restaurants, entertainment and recreation venues and indoor and outdoor commercial venues. Events previously scheduled for this weekend are grandfathered.
- Restaurants: No more than 8 persons per table. Up to 50% capacity with 6 feet distancing.
- Private resident-gathering size: Capped at 10 indoors and outdoors.
- Commercial venue-gathering size: Capped at 25 indoors and 50 outdoors.
- Sports: The rules are not yet available, but based on comments made on today’s call we expect the guidance to apply to club, recreational and interscholastic sports. We are expecting suspension of high-risk sports on all levels, mask wearing at all times for ice hockey and basketball and interstate competition only allowed for low risk sports.
CT DPH Health Advisories:
Today, the CT DPH Commissioner advised residents to stay at home between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless going to work, shopping for groceries or going to medical appointments.
The Commissioner recommended, but did not mandate:
- Those over age 60, and anyone with a chronic disease or obesity who are at higher risk for complications of COVID-19 take extra precautions and limit non-essential trips outside your home;
- Employers allow work-from-home as much as possible;
- Non-essential social or community gatherings of any size for any reason (e.g., parties, community meetings, celebrations or other social events) end by 9:30 p.m. or otherwise be canceled or postponed at this time;
- Everyone maintain at least a 6 foot distance from those who do not live with you;
- Everyone wear a mask whenever you leave home and wear a mask INSIDE your home if someone from outside your household is visiting;
- Everyone clean their hands frequently using soap and water, hand sanitizer, or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds works best. Avoid touching your face; and
- Families and loved ones should limit visitation to long term care facilities.
Ramped Up Testing:
In response to increased demand, CT DPH is working with healthcare partners to open up new testing sites across the state and particularly in areas with red alerts. This will include our area.
Detailed Case Data:
The CT Data Center reported the following for Wilton as of 8:30 p.m. November 4th:
- 335 cases
- 5,750 residents tested
- 9,213 tests performed
- 42 deaths
CT DPH reported the following for Fairfield County and Statewide as of 8:30 p.m. November 4th:
- 26,210 cases 77,060 cases
- 1,445 deaths 4,656 deaths
- 107 hospitalized 380 hospitalized
Please follow the three W’s:
- Watch your distance
- Wear a mask/face covering when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance whether indoors or outside
- Wash your hands
Lynne Vanderslice
First Selectwoman