Coronavirus CT: 1st Death Reported; 96 Positive Cases Now

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont said Connecticut has seen its first death as a result of the new coronavirus. A Ridgefield man in his 80s, who was living at an assisted living facility, died at Danbury Hospital, the governor said.

Lamont said the first death isn't a surprise, sadly, but "it's a shock." "It makes this so real for all of our families," Lamont added.

State Department of Public Health Director Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell said another positive case was reported at a nursing home, Evergreen Health Care Center in Stafford Springs. The patient has been taken to Johnson Memorial Hospital. A team has been deployed to review infection control procedures and to ensure the slow down of the virus, she said. (See below for a full statement from the nursing home).

96 Positive Cases Now In CT

It was revealed there are now 96 positive cases in Connecticut as of 4 p.m. Wednesday, which is an increase of 28 cases over the past 24 hours. Fairfield County reported 69 cases, Hartford County, 11, Litchfield County, 5, Middlesex County, 1, and New Haven County, 10. This is the first reported case in Middlesex County.

1st Death In CT From Coronavirus

“It is with sadness today that we are confirming the first death of a person in Connecticut due to severe complications from COVID-19," Lamont said. "The patient, a man in his 80s, had recently been admitted to Danbury Hospital, where he was receiving treatment. He had been a resident of an assisted living facility in Ridgefield. I want to thank all of the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals at the hospital who did everything in their power to save his life. I also want to acknowledge the dedicated professionals from hospitals and medical centers throughout our state who continue to work on the front lines and treat patients, in addition to all of the support staff who are providing critical assistance through this trying time.

“We know that people of an advanced age and in certain conditions are among the most at risk of this disease, however I urge everyone in Connecticut – regardless of age or condition – to take an active role in doing their part to reduce the spread of this virus throughout our communities so we can protect one another," Lamont added.

Officials said the Ridgefield man was living at Benchmark Senior Living at Ridgefield Crossings and that no one else at that facility has reported symptoms. Officials vowed to continue to monitor everyone there. (To sign up for local breaking news alerts from 100 Connecticut communities, click here.)

Statement from Benchmark Senior Living At Ridgefield Crossings:

"Benchmark Senior Living at Ridgefield Crossings is extremely saddened to confirm the tragic passing of a valued member of our community, one of our residents. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family during this difficult time, and we are deeply committed to helping our residents and associates heal from this loss.

"On March 16, 2020, this individual was admitted to Danbury Hospital and was confirmed positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon receiving this news, we immediately contacted state and local health authorities. We quickly enacted our COVID-19 outbreak plan, which includes promptly quarantining the residents who had high exposure to this individual. We are following health department and medical guidance to address the associates who had exposure to this resident by having them stay out of the community.

"We continue to closely monitor all residents and associates, taking resident’s temperatures daily and restricting non-essential visitors to reduce the potential spread of the virus. All residents are receiving in-room meals. Programming has been discontinued for all, except our memory care residents, until further notice.

"Our home office and regional teams, as well as our local community leaders, are working in tandem with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to take the precautions necessary to protect the health and safety of all of our residents and associates.

"Every resident, family member and associate is an important part of the Ridgefield Crossings family. This is a difficult time for all of us, and everyone is working hard to support one another.

"We will continue to assess and adjust our protocols under the direction of state and local health authorities and will keep everyone updated on this situation," the company said in a prepared statement.

Statement from Evergreen Health Care Center On The Positive Test

"This morning we learned that a former patient of Evergreen Health Care Center tested positive for Covid-19. The patient was in our center up until Monday, March 16, on our short-term unit. This individual is being cared for outside of our center in a local hospital.

"We have notified the Connecticut Department of Public Health and its division of Epidemiology and we are acting on all guidance they provide. We have requested testing for each of our staff members and residents, and are awaiting further guidance from the state. We have also requested additional personal protective equipment that will be needed in the weeks ahead through our trade association that is coordinating with the state.

"We have taken other immediate steps to protect the health and safety of our residents and staff. We are undertaking a deep cleaning of the entire building. We also have quarantined the entire unit where the former patient resided, including limiting it to specific staff.

"At the start of this pandemic, we initiated a series of protections aimed at mitigating the threat of coronavirus at our center. These include restricting visitors from Evergreen, taking the temperature of anyone who enters the facility, requiring anyone who enters the facility to complete a health questionnaire, and increasing monitoring of all residents every day.

"We also have been taking the temperatures of all of our patients at every shift since this weekend. We also began taking temperatures and requiring completion of a health questionnaire for all staff at the beginning of each shift last week. We are continuing this practice.

"There is no greater priority for us than the health and safety of our residents and staff. Our thoughts are with our former patient. We understand this is a difficult time for our patients and their families, and we want them to know that we are doing everything in our control to provide a safe environment. We also want to thank our many staff for their unflinching commitment to the health of all our residents."

Update On Connecticut Schools and Standardized Testing

State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona appeared at Lamont’s press conference and said the school year is "not canceled" and that they still hope to welcome students back to school before the end of the year.

But state officials will seek a waiver for standardized tests because it wouldn’t be fair for students to return to school and then have to take a standardized test.