Coronavirus Greenwich: St. Patrick's Day Parade Cancelled

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo announced late Thursday the town's St. Patrick's Day parade scheduled for Sunday, March 22, has been cancelled to help prevent the spread of the new coronavirus. The announcement was made the same day Greenwich Hospital officials revealed a New York resident who received treatment in the hospital's emergency department this week has tested positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19.

In addition to that case, five Connecticut residents and two hospital employees have tested positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, as of Thursday evening, however no Greenwich residents have tested positive for the virus. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

In a lengthy prepared statement, Camillo said he and town staff are maintaining normal operations as much as possible as they continue to monitor the situation. The town has also activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and is "in a monitoring phase," Camillo said.

The town will continue to operate normally "to the greatest extent possible" and will make every effort to remain fully operational, Camillo said. He also said all town employees are "expected to make every effort, commensurate with their personal safety," to be at work.

"One of our primary objectives is to maintain continuous and effective business operations," Camillo said in a statement. "We are preparing for potentially modifying operations to maintain our core functions. However, right now it is our intention to have government open for business."

Earlier this week, the town closed the Senior/Arts Center and imposed state protocols restricting visitors from local nursing home facilities, including the Nathaniel Witherell.

The Office of the First Selectman is consolidating all communication to greenwichct.gov/covid19.

"We encourage everyone to visit this webpage and sign-up for the 'Notify Me' function. All town communications on COVID-19 will be posted here," Camillo said.

In addition to the "routine, thorough" cleaning practices implemented in town buildings cleaned by the Building Construction and Maintenance (BC&M) Division of the Department of Public Works, including Town Hall, building common areas are receiving special attention, Camillo said.

This includes bathrooms, elevators, hallway doors and conference rooms, and disinfection is part of BC&M's routine cleaning process, Camillo said.

Additionally, BC&M will be organizing facilities managers from Board of Education, the Nathaniel Witherell, libraries and the Bruce Museum to ensure best practices are being shared and supplies issues are coordinated.

Camillo also said that his office continues to hold daily status meetings with health, public works, human resources, parks & recreation, police and fire departments, as well as the Board of Education and Emergency Management Operations Director. He also is having regular communications with other state and local officials in the region.

In an effort to minimize exposure and maintain operation of all fire stations, the fire department will temporarily cease the installation of child safety seats at all fire stations. Station tours and public fire education events will be rescheduled.

Administration and Fire Marshal access will remain open at the Central Fire Station via direct third floor access for individuals meeting posted entry criteria, Camillo said.

He also reminded employees and residents that anyone who feels sick should stay home, and encouraged anyone who has not had a flu shot to consider getting one, though he noted it will not prevent anyone from contracting the COVID-19 virus.

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus: Hospital Patient Tests Positive For Virus

• Coronavirus Greenwich: Libraries Closed Until Further Notice
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Travel Restricted For Town Employees
• Coronavirus Greenwich: Private Schools To Hold Remote Learning

On Sunday, a Wilton resident tested positive for the virus. The second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, state officials announced that an elderly man from New Canaan tested positive for the virus. They also issued a stern warning that the number of cases is expected to significantly increase over the next week.

On Thursday, city officials announced a Stamford resident who recently returned from international travel had tested positive for the virus and was preemptively isolated at Stamford Hospital.

That same day, a person in Stratford became the fifth Connecticut resident to be diagnosed with the virus. The news came after officials announced earlier in the week that a Wilcoxson Elementary School student had been exposed to the virus and become ill.

The two hospital employees are both New York residents and work at Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport hospitals.