Coronavirus Greenwich Updates: 566 Residents Test Positive

GREENWICH, CT — The number of Greenwich residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus has risen to 566 as of Monday, April 20, according to the Greenwich Health Department. That number is up 13 more than the 553 positive cases reported Thursday by town officials.

Additionally, Greenwich Hospital reports that, as of Monday, there were 97 patients who tested positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, being treated in several different units of the facility, town officials said.

So far, 273 patients have been discharged from the hospital and continue their recuperation at home. To date, 3,799 people have been tested at the hospital, with 1,427 people testing positive, town officials said.

All of these numbers reflect both patients who live in Greenwich and patients from other areas in Connecticut, as well as Westchester County, N.Y., town officials said.

"It is encouraging to see that the hospitalization rate is continuing to decrease," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a statement. "That being said, this is not the time to ease up in following the protocols of social distancing, wearing facial coverings and gloves. We have to consider ourselves a human fence in the face of COVID-19 and a fence is as strong as its weakest link. If we start to ease up on our vigilance, the virus will win."

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Last week saw large increases in the number of residents testing positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19. On Tuesday, April 14, town officials reported 394 positive cases, which was the largest daily increase of confirmed cases in town at the time. That increase was eclipsed the following day, when the total rose to 499.

According to Greenwich Health Director Caroline Baisley, those high increases were attributable to a lag in test results being tabulated and input in to the Connecticut Department of Public Health's computer systems, as many of those newly reported cases involved patients who were tested "two to three weeks ago."

Camillo also announced last week that Town Hall will remain closed to all employees through May 20, in accordance with other closure dates issued by Gov. Ned Lamont. Town Hall was originally ordered closed through April 22, officials said.

All employees are expected to continue to work from home and to be available by phone and email during business hours.

"The town will continue to provide limited services where possible," town officials said in a statement. "If you need a town service, please first visit the department's webpage. Our website and email are the preferred methods of communication during this time."

Staff will make periodic checks of voicemail boxes, however residents are asked to allow additional time for responses during this period of time.

"Given the unprecedented fluidity of this situation, expectations and operations may change at any time," officials said.

During a recent press update, Camillo said town departments continue to operate smoothly even though most residents' needs must be met either online or over the phone, and he has not received any complaints.

"For the most part, I have not been contacted by anyone who has been having a hard time," Camillo said.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 14 More Residents Test Positive

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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.