Coronavirus Middletown: 1st Positive Case Confirmed In City

MIDDLETOWN, CT — The first positive case of the new coronavirus has been confirmed in Middletown, officials announced Saturday. The man who tested positive is a 50-year-old Middletown resident, according city Health Director Dr. Joseph Havlicek.

Havlicek said the man is in “self-isolation at this time and the city’s health department will work with him to ensure all appropriate CDC guidance is followed to limit any potential for exposure.” Havlicek also said he wasn’t surprised by the latest development because “community transmission of the virus has been occurring in this area,” according to a news release.

Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough and shortness of breath.

“Our main objective is to continue to keep residents safe,” Havlicek said. “Social distancing is crucial in helping to reduce the spread of the virus and limit the number of people who are infected. Children as well as adults should remain home and not interact with individuals outside of the household.”

Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim said he was “saddened but not surprised” to share the news that the city had its first confirmed case of the new coronavirus. (To sign up for Middletown breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

“This is the first confirmed case but will certainly not be the last,” Florsheim said. “Please, take seriously the guidance we have been sharing from Centers For Disease Control (CDC) and Connecticut Department of Public Health. Stay home, wash your hands, and maintain social distance. We’ll get through this—but it will take time, and will take all of us.”

See also: Coronavirus Middletown: Parent Of Xavier Student Tests Positive

The health director recommended taking the following preventative actions:

• Stay home if you are sick except to get medical care
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick
• Wash your hands with soap and water frequently and for at least 20 seconds
• Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterward
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces

Havlicek said that the Middletown Health Department will have staff available weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. and throughout the week from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to answer questions from Middletown residents about COVID-19. The Health Department hotline is 860-638-4965.