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Coronavirus Update-Moved To A New Phase

Posted on: March 20, 2020 - 3:21pm

March 20th -  Based on information we have received, we have now moved to a new phase in which you have no choice but to assume you have been exposed and anyone you come into contact with has been exposed.  We need to slow down the spread of this disease so as not to overwhelm the healthcare system.  That concern is real.  Please follow federal, state and local recommendations:

  • Stay at home
  • Maintain at least 6 feet between yourself and anyone else
  • Do not attend or host gatherings
  • Check your temperature and that of your children twice daily
  • Frequently wash your hands and wipe down surfaces
  • If you need to cough, do so into a tissue and dispose of the tissue.  If you don't have a tissue, cough into your elbow and then clean the elbow area
  • If you have a cough, fever or shortness of breath, self-isolate and call your physician

Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corp and area hospitals are in need of personal protective equipment (PPE).  Due to shortages, the current status is conserve and reuse.  This is not good.  If you are a medical provider in the area that is not providing services at this time or have more supplies than you expect to need, please consider donating.  Contact WVAC or donate to hospitals by filing out a form on www.211ct.org/donationsCOVID19.

Tonight the Governor issued an executive order for the closure of non essential businesses as of 8:00pm on Monday, March 23rd.  The executive order does NOT provide the complete list of essential businesses. The CT Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) will publish the list of essential businesses by Sunday, March 22nd at 8:00pm.  Residents should not panic as essentials such as grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, liquor stores (who knew), banks and financial institutions, and medical related businesses are all included as essential businesses.  Also included are businesses like daycare centers, which facilitate essential workers' ability to work. There will be an avenue for businesses to make inquires and file an appeal.  On Sunday evening, check the DECD website or the State's coronavirus website for the complete list.  The executive order also includes restrictions on the authority of mayors and first selectmen to issue executive orders. 

Effective Monday, March 23rd, hours for dropbox services at Town Hall and the Annex have been reduced.  Details are available in the related announcement.

There are now 194 positive cases, 122 of which are in Fairfield County and 4 deaths, all in Fairfield County.  20 hospitals are providing drive-by testing.  Over 2,300 patients have been tested. The number of patients tested was not previously reported because those doing drive-by testing were not required to provide the number of patients tested.  That changed with a recent executive order.  Testing, although important to the patient and those treating the patient, is no longer the means of containing the spread.  The spread will only be contained if each individual takes responsibility for themselves, their family and community by taking the necessary precautions as if they had the virus and/or if the people around them had the virus. 

As always, if you have any questions, email me or the appropriate town department. 

Thank you,

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman