Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 217 Residents Test Positive

GREENWICH, CT — First Selectman Fred Camillo announced Tuesday afternoon that 217 Greenwich residents have tested positive for the new coronavirus as of April 7, according to the Greenwich Health Department. That number is up from the 212 positive cases reported a day prior.

Additionally, Greenwich Hospital reports that as of noon on Tuesday there were 107 patients who tested positive for the virus, also referred to as COVID-19, being treated in several different units of the facility.

Camillo said 119 patients have been discharged from the hospital so far and are continuing their recuperation at home. To date, 2,520 people have been tested at the hospital's outpatient tent, of which 935 tests have been positive. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

Camillo noted all of these numbers reflect both patients who live in Greenwich and patients who live in other areas of Connecticut, as well as Westchester County, N.Y., as the hospital draws in patients from many areas.

Camillo also encouraged residents who do not have access to facial masks to make them at home.

"Wearing [masks] outdoors when you do need to leave your home for groceries or other essential items will help curtail the spread of the virus," Camillo said in a statement. "Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, meaning they can transmit the virus without knowing they have it."

Easy to follow instructions to make cloth facial masks can be found on the Center for Disease Control's website.

During a press update Monday, First Selectman Fred Camillo encourage residents to continue taking necessary precautions.

"As the number of positive cases grows, it is imperative for everyone to continue social distancing, wear facial coverings when outdoors and continue all of the other safe practices including frequent hand washing, using hand sanitizer," Camillo said in a statement. "This is especially important as Fairfield County continues to be the epicenter of new diagnoses every day."

With Easter and Passover taking place this week, a time when many families typically gather together to celebrate, Camillo said last week he advised residents to continue social distancing during the holiday period.

"Right now, I would continue doing what you're doing," Camillo said during a press update on March 31 . "Nothing has changed, regardless of what the holiday is. The virus doesn't take the day off, so we have to remain vigilant."

He also recommended residents get creative with ways they can still enjoy the holiday.

"If you have a computer, this would be a great time to try out an Easter gathering over Zoom," Camillo said. "It's probably not the same as being there in person, but it will certainly be memorable and it will certainly make you look forward to next year."

While Town Hall continues to be mostly closed to the public, 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.

Over the weekend, a resident even reached out to him for help regarding getting married in town.

"I reached out to the town clerk, and that was all taken care of," Camillo said. "People are cognizant of the fact that there are not too many people on site [in the building]. Residents can access the website and do things over the phone and online...it seems to be working."

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 212 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.