Fairfield Coronavirus Update: Second Resident Dies

FAIRFIELD, CT — A second Fairfield resident has died after contracting the new coronavirus that is spreading rapidly across Connecticut.

The deceased person was identified as an 87-year-old woman with underlying medical conditions in an email sent to residents Wednesday evening by First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick. The most recent death follows that of an 85-year-old Fairfield man, who was reported Saturday to have died in connection with the virus.

Also Wednesday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in town increased by eight day-over-day, to 48 total confirmed cases, Kupchick said.

“At this time, testing remains limited and priority is given to those who are at high risk, first responders and medical providers,” she said in the email. “As such, we must assume that the number of cases in our community is actually much higher.”

Residents with coronavirus symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath should assume they have the virus and contact their healthcare provider, according to Kupchick, who noted it is possible area healthcare systems will be overwhelmed in the coming weeks as the virus continues to spread.

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Kupchick urged residents to maintain physical distance in public and to stay home whenever possible, despite the arrival of spring break and warmer weather.

“People’s lives depend on our efforts to stay home and restrict contact to your immediate household,” Kupchick said in the email.

The coronavirus has drastically affected day-to-day life in Fairfield. Schools and non-essential businesses have closed their physical locations under state order, and the town has closed public recreation areas.

Connecticut is one of the top five states in the country for coronavirus cases per capita, according to Kupchick. As of Wednesday, there were 3,557 confirmed cases statewide, 85 of which were fatal and 1,986 of which were in Fairfield County, according to state data.

“It is going to get worse before it gets better,” Kupchick said in the email.