Latest Naugatuck Coronavirus Updates

NAUGATUCK, CT — The number of positive coronavirus cases in Naugatuck has increased to 54, according to officials from the Naugatuck Valley Health District.

A total of 36 residents have tested negative for the virus. In the entire health district area there have been 337 confirmed cases and 33 deaths, 31 of the deaths have been reported in Shelton and two in Seymour.

In a statement the health district said, "The NVHD is urging residents to please stay home as much as possible and please continue to practice social distancing by keeping at least 6 feet between you and others if you must go out."

"To minimize the amount of people who can potentially be exposed, it is a good idea to designate one person per household as the person who will do the grocery shopping or other necessary errands. If you must go out in public, please wear a cloth face covering. For more information about making or using cloth face coverings to help slow the spread of COVID-19, please visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html.

"It is evident that we remain in the acceleration phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning we are consistently receiving an increasing number of cases. With an increasing number of cases, we can expect that we will continue to see an increase number of COVID-19 related deaths. We expect the Valley cases to continue to rise over the next few days. We will continue to remain in this phase until we are consistently seeing declining cases, at which point we move into the deceleration phase of the pandemic. To sign up for Naugatuck breaking news alerts and more, click here.

"Today, NVHD was made aware of five additional COVID-19 associated deaths, bringing to the district’s total to 33. Four of the deaths reported today were Shelton residents who resided in a nursing home or assisted living facility. One death was reported among a Seymour resident. A please see below for additional COVID-19 associated death information for the jurisdiction. "

Of the 33 deceased, 29 were residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The COVID-19 associated deaths reported by NVHD have been confirmed through laboratory testing. Suspected COVID-19 associated deaths are not being reported by NVHD.

As of 4PM on Wednesday, April 8, 2020, 109 (~32%) of the 337 confirmed cases among Valley residents, are individuals who currently reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, or other similar setting.

The above graph includes both living and deceased. The graph includes residents who may currently be inpatient at area hospital(s).

Please be advised that some towns have multiple facilities reporting COVID-19 cases. Cases are reported by the individuals permanent address, not the town of the facility in which they may be receiving treatment or recovering. This data is subject to change since some individuals may end up leaving a facility to recover at their permanent place of residence.

When an individual or worker tests positive for COVID-19 within an assisted living facility and/or nursing home, the investigation is led by the State Department of Public Health (DPH) and the State Facility Licensing and Investigation Section (FLIS). The NVHD remains in communication with the facilities as well as our state agency partners during the investigation.

Editor's note: All graphs included in this story are from the Naugatuck Valley Health District.