Latest Brookfield Coronavirus Updates: 29 Confirmed Cases

BROOKFIELD, CT — The state Department of Public Health has confirmed there are 29 cases of the new coronavirus in the Town, as of Friday.

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.

Brookfield Public Schools are closed until April 20. Students are currently engaged in distance learning.

The Brookfield Library is closed. Numerous resources, including books, magazines, audiobooks, movies, music and research databases are available from the library online.

Brookfield First Selectman Steve Dunn says the Town is establishing a dedicated general telephone line and email addresses for those who do not know who they specifically wish to speak to in town hall with any concerns or issues. Residents with questions about the coronavirus should call 211 or contact the State through its online portal. Until those are established, Dunn suggests sending all inquiries by email to his office at sdunn@brookfieldct.gov or call 203-775-3700 to leave a message.

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The State of Connecticut has instituted a Recovery Bridge Loan Program for businesses or nonprofits with 100 or less employees. Details and the application form are available online.