Coronavirus Update- 4 New Cases, New Rules for Sports, Gyms & Fitness Centers, EO 9M, CDC Thanksgiving Travel Advice & Case Data

November 20^th – The following is data from today’s CT DPH report versus yesterday’s November 19^th report:

• Wilton:  4 new cases reported.  421 cases YTD.
• Statewide:  2,088 new cases.  6.63% of new tests reported were positive.  101,469 cases YTD.
• Fairfield County:  581 new cases.  33,648 cases YTD.
• Hospitalized Patients: Statewide, 848 with an 8-net patient increase. Fairfield County, 238, with a 10-net patient decrease.
• Deaths: Statewide, 4,828 with 23 new deaths.  Fairfield County, 1,471, with 5 new deaths.  Wilton, 43, with no new deaths.

Wilton’s known new cases for today ranged from ages 20 to 68.  Since Monday, there has been a noticable reduction in the share of school-aged positive cases, which is good news for our shared goal of maintaining safe in-person learning. 

Today, the Governor issued Executive Order 9M, which among others, authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Economic Development to issue new rules to ensure safe sports. The Commissioner subsequently issued new sector rules for team sports, gyms and fitness centers.  The rules are effective on Monday, November 23^rd. 

Rules include:

• All team sporting activities, except collegiate and professional, are prohibited until January 19, 2021.
• All team scrimmages, competitions, camps, clinics, and tournaments including all interscholastic, “pick-up” games, and other informal athletic activities prohibited.
• “Team” is defined as a group of more than four people jointly engaged in an organized or recreational athletic activity on a court, field, etc.  
• Teams are not allowed to breakdown into groups of 4 to practice or compete.  For example, a team of 20 can’t break into 5 times of 4 and practice or compete at the same time.
• Masks are now required in all gyms and fitness centers with no exceptions.
• Fitness, yoga, dance, martial arts classes and others have been reduced to 25 percent capacity.

The CDC issued the following encouraging Americans not to travel over Thanksgiving:

If you are considering traveling for Thanksgiving, here are some important questions to ask yourself and your loved ones beforehand. These questions can help you decide what is best for you and your family.

• Are you, someone in your household, or someone you will be visiting at increased risk for getting very sick from COVID-19?
• Are cases high or increasing in your community or your destination? Check CDC’s COVID Data Tracker for the latest number of cases.
• Are hospitals in your community or your destination overwhelmed with patients who have COVID-19? To find out, check state and local public health department websites.
• Does your home or destination have requirements or restrictions for travelers? Check state and local requirements before you travel.
• During the 14 days before your travel, have you or those you are visiting had close contact with people they don’t live with?
• Do your plans include traveling by bus, train, or air which might make staying 6 feet apart difficult?
• Are you traveling with people who don’t live with you?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” you should consider making other plans, such as hosting a virtual gathering or delaying your travel.

Please, behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.

5 W’s

• Watch your distance
• Wear a mask/face covering when you can’t maintain 6 feet of distance whether indoors or outside
• Walk, run or bike to the right in single file when passing another person on the NRVT, sidewalks and trails
• Wait to host indoor gatherings
• Wash your hands

If you have a question, please email me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman