Sports Not Yet Affected By Coronavirus Scare In Connecticut

CONNECTICUT — Concerns about the spread of COVID-19 — the new strain of coronavirus linked to China — have prompted travel restrictions and event cancellations in many areas of the United States. However, one segment of the population which has yet to be affected in Connecticut is high school sports.

A dozen Connecticut scholastic athletic directors were emailed by Patch Monday to check on the status of high school games during the pandemic fear. Nine responded, with each stating there have been no alterations to any schedules at this time.

U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams met with Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, Department of Public Health Commissioner Renee D. Coleman-Mitchell, and Sen. Richard Blumenthal at the state Department of Public Health lab in Rocky Hill where new coronavirus testing is underway. As of Monday morning, Lamont said there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 virus in the state.

Just north of the state border, more than 230 people in Massachusetts who may have been exposed to the virus are being monitored and self-quarantined in their homes.

Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Disease, said last week communities, schools and businesses in Connecticut and elsewhere should begin preparing now for "the expectation that this could be bad."

This story includes reporting by Patch editors Ellyn Santiago, Amber Fisher and Rich Kirby.