Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 14 More Residents Test Positive

GREENWICH, CT — The number of Greenwich residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus has risen to 553 as of Friday, April 17, according to the Greenwich Health Department. That number is up 14 more than the 539 positive cases reported Thursday by town officials.

Additionally, Greenwich Hospital reports that, as of Friday, there were 104 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, 247 patients have been discharged from the hospital and continue their recuperation at home. To date, 3,572 people had been tested at the hospital to date, with 1,363 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.

"While the number of cases continue to rise among Greenwich residents, I am encouraged by the fact that the number of patients at Greenwich Hospital continues to decrease as the number of patient discharges increases," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a statement. "That being said, this is not the time for us to ease up on our vigilance of maintaining social distancing, wearing facial coverings and gloves when in public. To do so is a prescription for a continued infection of our population."

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This week saw large increases in the number of residents testing positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19. On Tuesday, 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, the continued increase in the number of Greenwich patients is 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 these newly reported cases involve patients who were tested "two to three weeks ago."

In light of these high increases, Camillo advised residents earlier this week to continue taking necessary precautions.

"The alarming issue here is that many of these people may have been asymptomatic and continued their daily business interacting with family, going outdoors or to the supermarket, unknowingly exposing countless others," Camillo said in an earlier statement. "I cannot continue to emphasize enough just how important it is to wear facial coverings whenever outside of your home."

Town Hall

Camillo also announced Wednesday 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.

Masks

Last week, First Selectman Fred Camillo said the town will now require employees at grocery stores and establishments handling food to wear masks after receiving feedback from some residents about grocery store employees not wearing them.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: Store Employees Must Wear Masks

"If you're out in public and see somebody that's not wearing a mask in any of those [types of] establishments, please let us know and we will contact them," Camillo said last week.

Camillo said the requirement went into effect "immediately" and anyone who does not adhere to it will be warned. Should they continue to disregard the requirement, there could be some type of punishment issued, Camillo said.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 539 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.