Coronavirus Update-Testing Details and Availability, Phase 2, Graduation & Case Data

May 22nd–As promised, CT DPH has provided municipalities with information about the number of residents tested.  As of this morning, a total of 1,111 tests have been performed on 844 Wilton residents.  Of those, 837 were laboratory-confirmed, and 7 were reported without laboratory confirmation.  199, or 24%, of the 844 residents tested received a positive test result.  We do not have information as to the age or health status of any of those 199 individuals, other than 45, or 23%, lived in a Wilton nursing home or assisted living facility.

We have no further details on deaths, other than what was reported in my April 30th update.  The Town Clerk is still waiting to receive death certificates from neighboring municipalities, including those which include Norwalk and Danbury Hospital. 

Laboratory capacity continues to constrain testing statewide.  Testing generally remains confined to those who are symptomatic, members of vulnerable populations, and those in congregate housing.  Only a few testing facilities, such as Hartford HealthCare, are making testing available more broadly.  That said, testing is widely available for those with symptoms.

On Wednesday, we received a preview of what will be able to reopen in Phase 2 on June 20, subject to guidelines to be established in approximately two weeks. They include, but are not limited to, the following:  

Hotels              Gyms                         Personal Services                                            Inside dining

Libraries          Private Pools               Outside events up to 50 persons                     Bowling

There has been lots of chatter on Facebook about Graduation.  Please remember there is an official Graduation Committee, comprised of WHS seniors, parents of WHS seniors and Staff.  The Committee has surveyed WHS seniors and received over 160 responses. Town personnel, including Chief of Police and Emergency Management Director John Lynch and I have met with the Committee. 

Today, CT DPH reported 39,640, or 432 new, laboratory-confirmed cases statewide, as of 8:30 p.m. yesterday. Of those cases, 14,889, and 138 new, cases were in Fairfield County, with Wilton at 202 cases. 50% of the increase in Fairfield County cases was attributable to Norwalk, Stamford and Bridgeport. 194 cases have not yet been assigned to a municipality.

Today’s report included 5,881 new tests performed for a pandemic-to-date total of 202,328 in Connecticut.  

Statewide deaths rose by 55 to 3,637.  Deaths in Fairfield County rose by 15 to 1,195.  

Statewide hospitalizations decreased by 76 patients to 740 and Fairfield County hospitalizations decreased by 15 to 226.  

Now and throughout Phase 1, the most important thing you can do to protect yourself and others is to follow the law:

  • When in public and a 6-foot distance is unavoidable, including from a family member, wear a required face covering, unless doing so would be contrary to your health because of a medical condition.  This applies whether outside or inside a retail establishment. 
  • While outside exercising alone, if you aren’t wearing a face covering, maintain a 6-foot 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