Coronavirus Update- Food Pantry Reopens, Unemployment Data, ContaCT & Case Data
April 29th – On Monday, Wilton Social Services successfully transitioned from the makeshift food pantry back into their full-time food pantry in the lower portion of the Comstock Community Center. The outpouring of support from the community has been amazing. As the numbers of individuals needing assistance from Social Services and the food pantry goes up, Social Services appreciates the support of the community during these difficult times. If you have any questions or you need help, please email Social Services Director Sarah Heath at sarah.heath@wiltonct.org.
The increasing need for assistance is supported by newly released, very preliminary CT Department of Labor data on initial unemployment claims filed by town, by industry, by gender and by age. The information, which is based on approximately 226,000 statewide cases, is preliminary because initial claims reported after March 22nd are incomplete. The report also does not include on-going claims.
During the period from 2/24/2020 to 3/22/2020, 378 Wilton residents filed new claims for unemployment. Based on the incomplete information for 3/23/2020 to 4/12/2020, another 269 Wilton residents filed for a total of 647 new claims by Wilton residents. This represents 7.7% of February’s labor force, of which 3.6% was unemployed. If those residents remained unemployed, the total incomplete unemployment rate for Wilton as of April 12th was 11.3%. Sobering numbers. The data is being provided in response to requests by first selectwomen/men and mayors to inform decision making for FY2021 budgets.
Yesterday, the Governor announced a partnership with Microsoft to develop ContaCT, an online contact tracing tool. Representatives from the State said one of the reasons Microsoft was chosen is because they are known for their security. Contact tracing, as is currently being done by the Wilton Health Department, is extremely labor intensive, yet critical to a successful reopening of the State and the country. The State is planning to augment our paid municipal and state employees with 400 to 500 volunteers. While other states are augmenting staff with compensated workers, state officials expect students in health-related fields will fill the need. ContaCT is expected to be available in the third week of May.
Also critical to the success of any reopening will be wearing face-coverings. They are here to stay for some time, so please wear them when in public. The rate of transmission has slowed through social distancing, staying home and behaving as if you have the virus and as if those around you do as well, but the virus is still present.
Declines in hospitalizations continued, both statewide and in Fairfield County. Statewide hospitalizations, meaning the number of Coronavirus patients hospitalized, are down by 41 to 1,691. In Fairfield County, the number is down by 41 to 591.
Today, CT DPH reports 26,767 laboratory-confirmed statewide cases with 10,985 or 41% in Fairfield County and 150 in Wilton. 507 cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality. Deaths rose to 2,189 statewide and to 774 in Fairfield County. As I have shared, information on deaths by town has been inconsistent, but tomorrow I will be sharing detailed information for Wilton.
Today, the Governor did not issue an executive order.
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