Coronavirus Update- Case Data, Rapid Testing, Budgets, Presidential Primary

April 17th – Yesterday at the Governor’s press conference we heard from Dr. Albert Ko, a co-chair of the committee advising the Governor on the benchmarks which will allow for the State to begin re-opening.  One factor presented is a 14-day decline in cases.  In Fairfield County, we are continuing to have significant case growth, with 46% growth in just the last five days.  As shown in the table below of the average daily growth in cases for Monday through today, the growth in Wilton and the surrounding suburbs has slowed, but growth in Stamford and Bridgeport is strong.  

Again, the data supports the need to continue to behave as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well.

Yesterday, the Governor announced the State’s first public rapid testing center, at the former Gateway Community College campus at Long Wharf in New Haven. The center is expected to conduct up to 750 free tests per day, seven days per week.  You must pre-register and be prescreened to qualify. Hospitals throughout the state have already been using the rapid test. 

Wilton residents serviced by the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps are transported to Norwalk Hospital. The hospital wants you to know when a COVID-19 patient arrives to Norwalk Hospital with serious symptoms, they will be treated at Norwalk Hospital.  As patients are recovering, if there is a need, patients may find themselves being moved to Danbury Hospital.  

Today, CT DPH reports 16,809 laboratory-confirmed statewide cases with 7,146 or 43% in Fairfield County and 101 in Wilton. Approximately 2.9% of total reported cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality. Today’s test positive rate is 40% versus the year-to-date rate of 30%.  Currently 1.6% of the State’s population has been tested.  Deaths have risen to 1,036 with Fairfield County at 425. The number of cases currently hospitalized increased to 1,946, with 797 in Fairfield County. 

The Boards of Selectmen and Education have agreed to reconsider their FY2021 budget requests. On Monday evening, the Board of Finance will meet to provide guidance to the two boards. 

Today, the Governor moved the date of the Presidential Primary to August 11, 2020, the same day as other federal and state primaries.  This is welcome relief to registrars, town clerks and residents across the state. 

As always, if you have any questions, please email the appropriate town department or me at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org.

Thank you,

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman

What should you do to stop the spread?

• Stay home.
• Maintain a distance of 6 feet between you and another person.  This standard applies whether inside or outside.  
• Wear a mask when in public.
• Respect the Governor’s prohibition on social or recreational gatherings of more than 5 people, including leisure gatherings.
• Consolidate your shopping and errands to minimize the numbers of days you must leave your home.  If the store parking lot is more than half full, return home and shop at another time.
• Take advantage of the delivery options offered by many Wilton businesses.
• Practice your team sport on your own, not with your teammates.  The internet is full of videos and suggestions on how to do this. 
• Do walk outside. If your street is walkable, please consider walking there rather than a public trail. When the NRVT parking lot, or that of another trail, is more than 50% full, please find another place to walk.  There are 127 miles of town-owned roads, more than 80 private roads and more than 3 miles of sidewalk on state-owned roads.
• Please respect the town’s closure of fields and recreation facilities.  

Visual of Connecticut Cases by Town