Town of Fairfield News
3/10/2020 - COVID-19 UPDATE FROM FIRST SELECTWOMAN
|
Dear Residents, 
I would like to provide an update on what the town has been doing in preparation for the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and reduce the potential spread of the illness here in Fairfield.
Our town formed a Community Mitigation Workgroup that has been meeting regularly. Yesterday, I met with our Health Department Director and his staff, our Police & Fire Chiefs, the Superintendent of Schools, and my administration. Together, we reviewed data from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, what other states are doing, and information from the CDC. We also discussed strategies about how we move forward and prepare for all potential scenarios.
Last evening, I also participated on the first of a weekly phone call hosted by the Governor with other community leaders and state elected officials, in an effort to keep cities and towns updated and answer any questions.
Based on the advice of experts and utilizing best practice examples from other states, we suggest residents consider limiting attendance at mass gatherings. Mass gatherings are defined as events where large numbers of people are within an arm's length of one another. We encourage the public to practice these suggested guidelines for social distancing.
Starting this week, the town will begin the process of cancelling and postponing town offered events that would be considered mass gatherings.
The Superintendent will be communicating further with parents and staff regarding decisions for school related planned gatherings.
While tensions are high we need to remain calm and focused, and take precautions to limit community transmission. The most important message I want to communicate to all our residents is that if you or members of your family are feeling sick, PLEASE STAY HOME, and seek professional medical advice by calling your medical provider before going to the office.
There is a lot of information below including numbers to call if you have questions and links to get the latest information and timely updates. Please know that I’m working every day to ensure our community is safe.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
First Selectwoman
|
|
|
Watch a video update from First Selectwoman and the
Director of Health by clicking below:
|
|
 |
Background:
COVID-19 is a respiratory illness first documented in Wuhan, China in late December 2019. We know now that COVID-19 is easily transmitted from person to person through respiratory droplets from the nose and mouth containing the virus. Treatments and vaccines are not yet available although the federal government is aggressively pushing for expedited research and development. 80% of positive cases have mild to no symptoms. The elderly and people with a compromised immune system and/or underlying illnesses may be more susceptible to severe illness symptoms from COVID-19. Children appear to present with mild symptoms only. This information may change as CDC professionals continue their research and expand their body of knowledge on the virus.
|
|
|
Watch video presentation on Fairfield preparedness by clicking below:
|
|
 |
Fairfield:
The COVID-19 situation in the United States and here in Connecticut is still emerging and is subject to rapid change. There are over 300 confirmed cases in the US and 17 deaths. At the time of this update, we have no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Fairfield. To date, 56 people have been tested for COVID-19 in Connecticut and two tested positive.
The Town of Fairfield is taking the COVID-19 issue very seriously and have been preparing with the towns COVID-19 Community Mitigation Workgroup, which is being led by Emergency Management and the Health Department. The workgroup, which includes representatives from Fire, Police, Education administration, Social Services, Human Resources, Community and Economic Development, Fairfield University, Sacred Heart, EMS and others. This working group has been reviewing those steps already taken and additional planned strategies to prepare for the varying range of impacts to our community.
The CT Department of Health will contact our local Director of Health when and if we have a Fairfield resident who tests positive so we can implement our plans to protect our residents.
Our First Responders, Schools/Universities, the Health Department, Health Care providers and others have been receiving and are following guidance from both State and Federal partners while we are continuing to distribute additional targeted guidance to various entities within the community. The Fairfield Health Department continues to participate in multiple weekly conference calls with the CDC and CT Department of Public Health to ensure the Town is receiving the most up to date information. These actions and our continued efforts are allowing us to be prepared so we can respond effectively.
|
|
COVID-10 Prevention Measures:
- Avoid close contact with those who are sick
- Wash your hands often for 20 seconds with warm soap and water. Hand washing is preferred but if not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Stay home when you are sick
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze, then throw the tissue immediately away
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects (including your cell phone and computer keyboard) and surfaces using regular household cleaning spray or wipe
- Face masks are recommended for use for only people who show symptoms of COVID-19 to help prevent the spread of the disease to others.
|
|
|
Schools:
The Superintendent sent out a letter to parents and staff this past weekend which is linked below on the FPS website and includes cleaning protocols the school district has implemented. We are also waiting direction from the state regarding the ability to implement virtual learning should the need to arise to close one or more of our schools.
Fairfield Public School's spring break is approaching and many families enjoy traveling at this time. Please educate yourself about CDC travel advisories, call your travel providers for updated information and make informed decisions about the safety of your travel. Please remember that the COVID-19 situation is still emerging in the United States so local, state and federal policies are changing as the situation continues to change.
|
|
|
Current Data:
For the latest numbers of cases, deaths and those recovered click here
For additional data and graphs of activity click here
For guidance and updates on Connecticut’s coronavirus preparedness efforts, visit: ct.gov/coronavirus |
|
|
Contact Information:
For general questions you can now call 211
Hartford HealthCare’s COVID-19 Clinical Command Center hotline, staffed by healthcare professionals, is now available to the community. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860.972.8100 or (toll-free) 833.621.0600.
Yale New Haven Health, includes Bridgeport and Greenwich: 203-688-1700.
For additional information and prevention tips, refer to the Health Department website at: www.fairfieldct.org/health or the Fairfield homepage under news at www.fairfieldct.org. |
|
|
|
|
|