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Coronavirus/Hurricane Update-New Cases, Road Opening/Restoration, Power in Wilton Center,Cable & Cell Updates, August 11th Primary & Detailed Case Data

Posted on: August 7, 2020 - 7:47pm

August 7th – Highlights from the CT DPH report as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday August 6th versus the previous day’s report:

  • Wilton: 2 additional cases reported. 
  • Statewide: test positive rate was 1%.  
  • Hospitalized Patients: Statewide, 1-net patient decrease. Fairfield County, 2-net patient decrease.  
  • Deaths: Statewide, 4 deaths, with 2 in Fairfield County

Road Clearing/Restoration:  Several roads have been opened or cleared, including Ridgefield Road, New Canaan Road, Sturges and several fully blocked roads. The opening of the first fully blocked road required approximately 6 hours of work by Eversource and Wilton DPW.  I share this, so if you haven’t been out, you understand the magnitude of some of the damage. The Eversource road opening crew and Wilton DPW personnel, will continue to work throughout the night.  Wilton Police are communicating with that crew to provide priority locations. 

The opening of a blocked road or the replacement of a displaced wire does not always mean power is immediately restored.  Your power outage may be due to more than one issue or incident within or outside Wilton. 

Wilton Center now has power.  There have been and are other crews working throughout town to prepare for when those areas can be reenergized.

Our Eversource representative has not been able to provide a complete crew count or their locations.  We provided Eversource with priorities, but Eversource is making decisions on prioritization. We noted they have been working in areas that support critical facilities and medically critical customers. 

Eversource announced that tomorrow they will provide town wide estimates to restore (ETR).  The information will be on their website and communicated directly to registered customers. Still no information on individual ETRs.

We were told the State National Guard would assist in communities which a high level of outages, including Weston, which has the highest outage percentage in the area.  Many Wilton residents close to Weston are dependent on a transmission center in Weston for their power. 

Cable and Cellular Service:  Verizon installed what was described by the installer as a temporary, battery powered antenna in Wilton Center.  The unit is scheduled to be operational this evening.  As is typical, there has been no communication from any cable or cellular companies, other than Frontier.  Cable restoration is generally dependent on power restoration. 

Water:  Potable water distribution capabilities at Fire Headquarters have increased.  Distribution of is now from the non-Town Hall side of the building. Water is available 24/7. 

WiFi/Internet:  In addition to sign-up access, we opened an additional area within Comstock to accommodate walk-ins for WiFi and Internet use. There is sign-up availability for this weekend.  Please see details below.  Outdoor WiFi access is available at the back of Town Hall, at WHS and at Comstock.  WiFi at Miller Driscoll is less reliable.  No WiFi at Middlebrook and Cider Mill as there isn’t power.  The password for all buildings is Warrior1.

Other Assistance: The Wilton Social Services  Department is currently providing a range of assistance to residents during the hurricane emergency.  If you also need assistance or know of someone who needs assistance,  please contact Sarah Heath at sarah.heath@wiltonct.org.  

Transfer Station: Open tomorrow, Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. Tickets are required. 

August 11th Primary:  If there is a need to move a polling location due to a power outage, it will be announced on Monday.  Absentee ballots must be returned no later than 8:00 p.m. on August 11th.  Ballots can be placed in the secure ballot box located outside Police Headquarters.

Detailed Case Data:

The CT Data Center reported the following for Wilton as of 8:30 p.m. August 6th and versus the dates prior to the start of Phase 1 and Phase 2:

  • 241 cases, 34 additional since June 16th and 41 since May 19th.
  • 2,856 residents tested, 1,706 since June 16th and 2,106 since May 19th.
    • 3,779 tests performed, 2,327 since June 16th .
  • 42 deaths, 1 since June 16th and 5 since May 19th.

CT DPH reported the following for Fairfield County and Statewide as of 8:30 p.m. August 6th:

  • 17,926 cases, 1,545 additional since 6/16      50,245 cases, 4,816 additional since 6/16
  • 1,408 deaths, 56 additional since 6/16           4,437 deaths, 218 additional since 6/16
  • 12 hospitalized, 56 less than 6/16                   66 hospitalized, 120 less than 6/16

“You have to have responsibility for yourself but also a societal responsibility that you’re getting infected is not just you in a vacuum.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.   

If you have any questions, the fastest way to reach me is through email at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org.  If you tag me on Facebook, it may get lost within the high volume of notices I receive.   

Thank you and please excuse typos during this time period.

Lynne Vanderslice

First Selectwoman

Comstock WiFi Access and Charging Stations

  • Weeknights open from 4:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.  
  • Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. 
  • Sign-up via e-Trak or by calling (weekdays) or visiting Comstock if you can’t access e-Trak.  
  • Walk-ins are allowed, if space is available.
  • You must wear a mask and complete a contact form.
  • Bring your devise and extension cords.
  • Socially distant tables and chairs provided.
  • Staff will be onsite
  • No bathrooms.
  • No air conditioning