Town of Fairfield News
3/19/2020 - COVID-19 New Info Update from Health Dept 3/19/20
New COVID-19 Information
For more information and resources, please visit our COVID-19 (Coronavirus) webpage.
What's new as of March 19, 2020:
Fairfield:
First Selectwoman:
- Announced two positive cases of COVID-19 among Fairfield residents on 3/18 and a third positive case on 3/19. The cases include a male and a female both in their 50's and another male in his 30's. None of the cases were hospitalized and all are doing well.
- Promoting social distancing. Fairfield's stance on social distancing can be found here.
New Testing Site in Fairfield
525 Tunxis Hill Cutoff, Fairfield, CT
203-870-1974
Connecticut:
Governor Lamont:
- Ordered the closure of large shopping malls.
- Ordered the closure of public amusement parks.
- Expansion of Medicaid Telehealth coverage for audio-only telephone.
- Wavier of in-person service, hearing, and screening requirements for facilities that have issued limiting visitor access to protect Public Health.
- Continuation of classes and programming at certain state-operated schools.
Nation:
Current Data for COVID-19 Impact
For the latest numbers of cases, deaths and those recovered click here
For additional data and graphs of activity click here
Questions/Call centers
CDC frequently asked questions
CT residents can call 2-1-1 for general COVID-19 questions
Yale New Haven call center - 833-ASK-YNHH (275-9644) - open 7AM - 7PM
Testing
Patients MUST be symptomatic and have an order from a Doctor in ordered to be tested.
Yale New Haven Health (Greenwich and Bridgeport Hospitals):
After an order from a Doctor has been placed, patient will receive a call to schedule an appointment.
Call 203-688-1700 OR 833-275-9644 (toll free) for more information
Hartford Healthcare (St. Vincent's):
Hartford Healthcare – 860-972-8100 OR 833-621-0600 (toll free)
Sites in Greenwich, Stamford, and Stratford.
525 Tunxis Hill Cutoff, Fairfield, CT 203-870-1974
Town of Fairfield Response
The Town of Fairfield is taking the COVID-19 issue very seriously and has activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and the Emergency Management Team has been meeting regularly. In addition, the Town had already created a COVID-19 Community Mitigation Workgroup which is being led by Emergency Management and the Health Department. The workgroup, which includes additional representatives from Fire, Police, Schools, Social Services, Human Resources, Community and Economic Development, Fairfield U, Sacred Heart, EMS and others, has met to review those steps already taken and additional planned steps to prepare for the range of potential impacts to the Town. Departments were asked to review potential impacts and how they will maintain essential services to the community. The Workgroup collectively reviewed the Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions available to us and has broadly implemented many of these practices. The Health Department continues to post COVID-19 prevention actions, educational materials and guidance documents on their webpage and social media. Our First Responders, Schools/Universities, the Health Department, Health Care providers and others are following guidance from both State and Federal partners and we are continuing to distribute additional targeted guidance to various entities within the community. The Health Department continues to participating in multiple weekly conference call 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 preparing us to respond to the range of potential impacts to the Town.
Preventative measures:
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral medication to prevent or lessen the impact of the COVID-19 Coronavirus, the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to it. The CDC recommends these everyday preventative actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19:
- Stay home if you are sick except to seek medical care.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitize. The health department has a video demonstrating how to wash your hands properly.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands after. The health department has video demonstrating the importance of covering your cough/sneeze.
- Avoid contact with people who may be sick.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.