Fairfield COVID-19 Uptick

COVID
October 22, 2020
By now you have likely heard that Fairfield has been placed on the state’s Red Alert list. Fairfield and 18 other towns are at red and 22 communities are now at orange. This is determined by case rate data from the two full weeks ending October 17th.  This two week look back allows the Department of Public Health to assure data is complete and accurate from all sources, including 80-90 labs and dozens of providers.
The map and case rates will be published each Thursday, with towns having the option to move back into Phase 2 if they choose. At this point, Fairfield will remain in Phase 3, which the First Selectwoman shared in today’s press release.
What does this mean for all of us?

In a call earlier today with Commissioner of Public Health Deirdre Giffords, State Department of Education Commissioner Cardona and staff from the Governor’s office, Commissioner Giffords emphasized that personal behaviors, including wearing masks, washing hands and maintaining 6 feet of distance, remain a key mitigating factor. In addition to the recommendations in the chart below, red alert communities are asked to encourage our residents age 65 and older to stay home and stay safe as well as cooperate with contact tracers.

If you are awaiting test results, stay home until you receive results. If you have a known exposure to someone who is COVID positive, you need to stay home for the full 14 days, even if you have had a negative test. The state plans to provide additional testing resources for asymptomatic residents. I will share additional information as I receive it, as will our town’s emergency management team.

What about school?

Shortly after today’s announcement, Superintendent Cummings announced that the elementary grades’ return to school full time is on pause. Local districts remain in control of this decision and, in speaking with Superintendent Cummings, it is clear that he is utilizing health department data and is in regular contact with Health Department Director Sands Cleary. New DPH guidance was released to the school communities today, and this also needs to be taken into account.

The spike in Fairfield University cases, which are now declining, was on top of a more quickly accelerating growth in the community spread. Many cases being seen in the community are not tied to the university cases. The choice to quickly communicate the school decision to parents students and staff allows families to plan and hopefully will provide additional opportunity for collaborative planning for a possible future return to school full time.

I will work to get you information to help in your daily decision making. As Governor Lamont said in his press conference today, “Our behavior has a real impact in what goes on.” We know that wearing masks, washing hands and staying at least six feet apart does work. Until we can get these numbers back down, please follow the other red alert guidance. We have done this before and we will do it again – getting our case rates lowered and avoiding community spread. Meanwhile, take care of yourselves during this difficult time.