Latest Bethel Coronavirus Updates: 11 Confirmed Cases

BETHEL, CT — The state Department of Public Health has confirmed there are 11 cases of the new coronavirus in the Town, as of Friday.

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said the COVID-19 patients are under the care of their personal physicians and following the treatment and home isolation guidelines as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.

Gov. Ned Lamont and public health officials said there have been 27 deaths and 173 people are hospitalized. The governor said, "it's the beginning of the surge." There were six new deaths reported in the past day, Lamont said.

The total number of positive cases is the "biggest number" yet, according to Lamont, but the percentage of positive tests was "lower" at 15 percent. Officials also said that the coronavirus may hit its peak in Connecticut during the second week of April.

The governor has declared a "Stay Safe, Stay Home" program. All non-life-sustaining businesses in Connecticut have been closed, and Lamont has asked Connecticut residents to limit social gatherings to just five people. He has placed additional restrictions on retail operations:

• Restaurant payment and pickup operations are limited to the entrance of customers or third party delivery personnel into locations to the minimum extent necessary to pick up and/or pay for orders, use touchless payment systems, and require remote ordering and payment.
• Retail operations that have been allowed to remain open and permit customers inside are required to take appropriate and reasonable measures to ensure customers maintain six feet distance between each other, and manage resulting lines to maintain such distance while people wait to enter. Employers may not require employees to place items in customers' reusable bags, and the tax on single-use checkout has been suspended.
• All firearm transactions must be conducted by appointment only.

Bethel Public Schools are closed until April 20.

The Bethel Library is closed. Residents may can download ebooks, and audiobooks, magazines, and TV shows through OverDrive, RB Digital or Hoopla. Anyone with questions or who needs assistance with digital resources may call 203-794-8756 or e-mail adult@bethellibrary.org.

More information is available from the Bethel Infoline at 203-794-8530, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and on the web.

Don't miss updates in Connecticut concerning the Coronavirus as they are announced. Sign up for Patch alerts and newsletters.