Coronavirus Update-Recreational Facilities, Resident Questions, Hospitalizations Under 1,000 & Case Data
May 16th–As of this morning, 25 families had signed up for 70% of the available weekend time slots for the Stadium track and turf field and 60 families had signed up for 100% of the time slots for tennis. This week, look for an announcement about family sign up for a baseball and a softball field.
The following are recent questions from residents:
When will the suspension of the requirement to accept redeemed bottles & cans be lifted? The following is from the Department of Environment and Energy Protection website: “DEEP is working with representatives of grocery stores, retailers and redemption service providers as they develop plans to resume state-wide redemption of deposit containers at retail locations where redemption services were suspended during the COVID-19 response. The plans will provide at least limited redemption activities beginning on May 20, 2020 and full redemption services by June 3, 2020.”
When will DMV expand in-person services? We don’t have that information at this time. All renewals were extended until June 30th. State officials expect to be in Phase 2 on that date.
What, if anything, is the Town doing to recognize WHS spring sport senior athletes in these unusual circumstances? Parks and Recreation Director Steve Pierce, Parks and Recreation Chair Anna Marie Bilella, WPS Athletic Director Chris McDougal and sport booster parents are all working collaboratively to develop concepts for recognition, while meeting the Governor’s executive orders, including the 5-person restriction for leisure and sport gatherings.
What, if anything is the Town doing to recognize graduating WHS seniors in these unusual circumstances? A Graduation Committee, comprised of WHS students, WHS staff and parents of WHS students, is developing the proposal for this year’s recognition of the WHS Class of 2020. Chief of Police and Emergency Management Director John Lynch and I met with the Committee this week to review the Governor’s executive orders, including the 5-person restriction. This year, as with every year, the citizens of Wilton will fund those school-sponsored graduation activities through a line-item in the Board of Education budget.
Are residents from more than one family allowed to ride bikes at the school parking lots at the same time? Yes. More than one family may use a school parking lot for bike riding. Each family group cannot exceed 5 members, as per the Governor's order. Face coverings must be worn by each individual who cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from any other individual, unless the individual qualifies for an exemption based on medical health or age.
Does the State publish by town by age total for cases and deaths? Why aren’t Wilton deaths included in your daily update? CT DPH doesn’t provide the town data by age. The Town Clerk is able to compile deaths by age based on the certificates she receives. Certificates issued by other municipalities are received mid-month. My April 30th update included information received thru April. When the information is received this month, I will share it. The State provides total deaths by town on its CT Coronavirus website, but those numbers are often subject to revision as they come from multiple sources, which may or may not have the correct town of permanent residency.
Today, CT DPH reported a big jump in new test performed of 8,847, with a total of 164,755 test performed to date. We know that total includes some amount of repetitive tests, yet it is still a reflection of the increase in the availability of testing. CT DPH also reported 36,703 or 618 new laboratory-confirmed statewide cases. Of those 14,140 and 131 new cases were in Fairfield County. Municipal cases were not reported as of 8:00pm. 238 cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality.
Statewide deaths rose by 54 to 3,339. Deaths in Fairfield County rose by 16 to 1,125.
Statewide hospitalizations decreased by 54 patients, bring the total under 1,000 to 994 and Fairfield County hospitalizations decreased by 12 to 330. Hospitalizations haven’t been under 1,000 since April 3rd.
What are the most important things you can do to protect yourself and others?
- Unless you have a health condition that prevents wearing a face covering, comply with the Governor’s executive order and wear a face covering while in public, whether outside or in a retail outlet and when you can can’t maintain 6 feet distance from any other individual.
- While out running or walking, if you aren’t wearing a face covering, maintain at least 6 feet of distance from others running or walking on the same road, sidewalk or trail.
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