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Coronavirus Update-Challenging Times, PSA Videos, Contact Tracing Confidentiality, & Case Data

Posted on: July 3, 2020 - 5:14pm

July 3rd- CT DPH reported 3 new cases in Wilton as of 8:30 pm July 2nd. As noted in a previous update, this increase was expected.

Life during a pandemic has been difficult for all of us.  The Phase 1 and Phase 2 reopenings have created additional challenges.  We are all have difficulty managing our expectations for the summer plus those of our families, friends, teammates, colleagues or customers. It is important to recognize this is new for everyone.  We all learn something new every day, including how to adjust our behavior. Sometimes people don’t make great choices, it doesn’t mean they aren’t great people.  What matters is what we learn from our choices. 

Wilton is a community that cares about people.  The overwhelming support and efforts, throughout the pandemic, for healthcare workers, emergency responders and the Wilton Food Pantry are evidence of our caring community.  As we continue to move through the pandemic, we all need to work together to keep care and respect in the forefront.  One way to show care and respect for others is to follow the three Wilton Ws:

  • Watch your distance
  • Wear a mask/face covering
  • Wash your hands

The State has issued PSA videos encouraging the use of face coverings.  UCONN fans, see what Coach Auriemma has to say.  Do your kids love Clover, the Cow? Watch this. Heading to the beach? Watch this lifeguard’s advice. 

In response to yesterday’s update, I received questions about the confidentiality of contact tracing.  Here is how confidentiality is maintained:

  • When speaking with the identified contacts, our contact tracers do not disclose the identity of the patient. Patients should not have to disclose their health status while wanting to help control the spread. Contact tracers allow patients to help confidentially. 
  • We specifically hired nurses as contact tracers as they are well versed on the Federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), which protects the confidentially of health information.

CT DPH will no longer release case data on Saturdays and Sundays.  As such, I won’t provide updates this weekend. Please have a safe and smaller July 4th.  

The CT Data Center reported the following for Wilton as of 8:30 pm on July 2nd and versus the dates prior to the start of Phase 1 and Phase 2:

  • 221 cases, 14 additional since June 16th and 21 since May 19th
  • 1,659 residents tested, 509 since June 16th and 909 since May 19th
  • 2,120 tests performed, 668 since June 16th
  • 41 deaths, no change since June 16th and 4 additional since May 19th

The State does not provide detailed data on antibody testing. 

CT DPH reported the following for Fairfield County and Statewide as of July 2nd:

  • 16,733 cases, 376 additional since 6/16         46,717 cases, 1,288 additional since 6/16
  • 1,377 deaths, 25 additional since 6/16           4,335 deaths, 116 additional since 6/16
  • 31 hospitalized, 37 less than 6/16                   95 hospitalized, 91 less than 6/16

“Out of respect for each other, as Americans that care for each other, we need to be wearing masks in public when we cannot social distance.”  Dr. Deborah Birx, Coronavirus Response Coordinator for the White House Coronavirus Task Force.   

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