Coronavirus Update- Hospitalization Declines, Eat Local/Win Local, Wilton Library, How We Feel App, Masks for Essential Businesses, & Case Data

April 25th – Today brings continued good news, as for the third day in a row statewide and Fairfield County hospitalizations are down.  Since Wednesday, statewide hospitalizations are down by 162 and down by 60 in Fairfield County.   

Beginning tomorrow, your support of Wilton restaurants and businesses can make you an even bigger community winner.  The Town of Wilton is launching two programs over the next 10 weeks,  "Eat Local, Win Local in Wilton" followed by "Shop Local, Win Local in Wilton".  It’s easy to participate in the first campaign.  When you order at least $15 at a Wilton restaurant from April 26 - May 30th, 2020, take a picture of your receipt or a selfie of you and your order and email to sarah.gioffre@wiltonct.org. Please no more than one submission per day. There will be four winners drawn each week for a total of 20 winners over the course of each campaign. Eat Local, Win Local in Wilton winners will receive a $25 gift certificate to a Wilton restaurant.  Funding for this program is through a donation.  Details about the second campaign, “Shop Local, Win Local in Wilton” will be announced at the end of May.

This afternoon, I had a budget call with WLA Executive Director Elaine Tai-Lauria and the Library’s executive committee to discuss the budget guidance provided by the Board of Finance.  The WLA receives funding from the Town for approximately 75% of its operating expenses.  Donations make up the difference. They have and will continue to take measures to increase their efficiency, but they have been unable to hold three fundraising events this spring that were expected to raise over $100,000. If you use the Library and are able, please consider providing them with support at this time. 

This past Monday, Governor Lamont announced a partnership between the State and the non-profit group How We Feelto anonymously provide scientists with critical health information needed to understand the spread Coronavirus.  The How We Feel app allows users to self-report daily health information into the app. The data is anonymously provided to leading medical institutions so scientists and public health officials can better spot emerging outbreaks early, identify new populations who are at risk and measure the efficacy of public health measures such as social distancing. I’m participating. As a participant the only information I see is the number of other participants. As of this afternoon 1,035 people in Wilton are participating.

The State will soon be distributing surgical masks for essential small businesses with fewer than 50 employees.  Small businesses can sign up online.  Quantities are limited and are expected to be available in early May. 

Today, CT DPH reports 24,582 laboratory-confirmed statewide cases with 10,373 or 42% in Fairfield County and 144 in Wilton.  521 cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality. Today’s test positive rate remained at 32%. Currently, 2.2% of the State’s population has been tested.  Deaths rose by 98 to 1,862  with Fairfield County at 689.  The number of patients currently hospitalized decreased by 67 to 1,810 with a decrease of 45 in Fairfield County to 649.  

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

As of yet, the Governor has not issued an executive order today. 

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