New Canaan Coronavirus Update: 2 More Deaths Reported; 18 Total

NEW CANAAN, CT — Two more New Canaan residents died of complications from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Thursday, bringing the total to 18, according to Mike Handler, director of Emergency Management.

"Of the 139 total positive infections to date, 28 percent have been associated with Waveny LifeCare Network and 9 percent have been associated with Silver Hill Hospital," Handler said in a statement on the town's website. "Please keep in mind that Waveny has been conducting comprehensive testing of its residents and their more than 500 employees, which can partially explain the higher incidence of infection."

Handler posted a chart that breaks down some of the demographic information about the cases and deaths. More men, 59 percent, than women, 41 percent, have died from the virus in New Canaan, but more women, 51 percent to 49 percent, have been hospitalized. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

"The data, while limited in sample size, does support the premise that COVID-19 mortality is felt most by the oldest segment of the population and those with pre-existing medical conditions," Handler said. "Of the 18 fatalities, 16 were over the age of 80 and 2 were in their 60’s. 61 percent of the fatalities are associated with Waveny (6 of the 11 being over the age of 90)*. The data indicates that self-isolation and strict social distancing mandates are extremely effective—without it, our general rates of infection would more closely mirror those found in a communal living environment, such as a nursing home. Continue to do your part and please stay healthy."

(*One Waveny fatality is included in this data because the State Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has determined that the official cause of death was COVID19. This contradicts on-site PCR test results from April 2, 2020, that were negative.)

Original story: A New Canaan police officer and an employee of the town's Public Works Department have both tested positive for the new coronavirus (COVID-19), and are recovering from the illness at home, according to First Selectman Kevin Moynihan.

The names of the two were not disclosed, but the officer who tested positive is believed to have contracted the virus when he responded to an emergency call where a resident suffered a heart attack. That resident later died, and the autopsy revealed the patient had COVID-19.

Moynihan said during an online news conference Thursday that the town's strict adherence to staff using personal protective equipment (PPE), and social distancing efforts, have helped keep the number of employees with coronavirus low.

As of Wednesday evening, New Canaan had 137 confirmed coronavirus cases, and 16 residents had died from the illness. Fourteen of the victims who died were in the 80s, and two were in their 60s.

New Canaan has taken an aggressive approach to combating COVID-19, particularly as it relates to the town's senior citizen population, one of the most vulnerable segments to the illness.

The town personally contacted more than 3,100 of its residents 65 years old or older, Moynihan said, 1,400 of whom are over the age of 75.

"We asked them, 'Can the town do anything for you?'" Moynihan said. "We want them to stay home to keep them safe, so we got into the food delivery business."

New Canaan has enlisted more than 250 volunteers to shop and deliver groceries to its elderly residents, a move that has received good feedback from residents.

"People have gotten the message about helping to slow the spread of the virus," Moynihan said. "Our residents are adhering to the stay-at-home orders."