Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 70 More Residents Test Positive

GREENWICH, CT — The number of Greenwich residents who have tested positive for the new coronavirus has risen to 394 as of Tuesday, April 14, according to the Greenwich Health Department. That number is up from the 324 positive cases reported Monday, a figure which was corrected from 325 by town officials Tuesday.

Health Director Caroline Baisley noted the 70 additional cases is the largest daily increase of confirmed cases in Greenwich thus far. (To sign up for Greenwich breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"The increase in the number of Greenwich patients illustrates the continued need for everyone to remain vigilant in continuing with best practices," First Selectman Fred Camillo said in a statement, "including wearing a face covering whenever outdoors, whether it's for a walk in your neighborhood, getting groceries or visiting the pharmacy for medications."

Additionally, Greenwich Hospital reports that, as of Tuesday, there were 116 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, 206 patients have been discharged from the hospital and continue their recuperation at home. Due to Monday's storm, the hospital's outpatient testing site was closed that day. Up until the closure, 3,157 people had been tested at the hospital to date, with 1,215 people testing positive, town officials said.

"All of these numbers reflect patients who live in Greenwich as well as from other municipalities in Connecticut and Westchester County [N.Y.]," town officials said in a statement.

During a press update with town officials late Monday afternoon, Greenwich Hospital COO Diane Kelly said 28 patients at the hospital in total have died as a result of the virus as of April 13, however they were not all Greenwich residents as the hospital draws in patients from Westchester County, N.Y., as well as other areas in Connecticut.

See also: Greenwich Coronavirus Updates: 325 Residents Test Positive

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.

"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: Store Employees Must Wear Masks

Camillo also encouraged 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."

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.

See also: Greenwich Businesses: Open Or Closed? Let Your Customers Know

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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.