New Canaan Coronavirus Update: Another Death Reported; 11 Total

NEW CANAAN, CT — A resident of Waveny LifeCare Network reportedly passed away of complications from the new coronavirus (COVID-19), according to New Canaan Emergency Management Director Mike Handler, bringing the town's total number of deaths to 11 as of Wednesday.

Additionally, the town has 100 confirmed coronavirus cases, and as of Wednesday evening, the state had more than 8,700 cases and 335 deaths.

In a statement, Handler also asked for help from residents:

From the very beginning of this crisis, many of you have been calling and emailing to see how you could help. I responded by saying two things: the best way you can help us is to stay home and stay healthy; and, that I would reach out when we were able to use your help.

Today, I am asking for help in the following two ways:

1. Our food delivery service to those who are vulnerable is off to a terrific start and we are currently delivering to more than 100 residents. We have a great group of volunteers, 210 strong, but would like to dramatically increase our ability to deliver groceries. If you are interested in joining our team, please call Human Services at (203) 594-3076.

2. The second way a select number of you can help is by participating in an experimental convalescent plasma therapy program, which involves collecting antibodies from the blood of recovered patients. These antibodies are then transfused into COVID-19 patients with acute illness. This technology, while not necessarily new, could be a major game changer in our fight against this virus. To participate as a donor, you must meet certain criteria which can be found at the New York Blood Center website - https://www.nybc.org/donateblood/become-donor/can-i-donate-blood/. If you are interested in participating, please call the Stamford Health Clinical Trials Office at (203) 358-8879 or email them at officeofresearch@stamhealth.org.

Your willingness to always help is heart-warming and we cannot thank you all enough. The safest place for your family continues to be in your home. Thank you for doing your part in keeping our community safe.

In related news, nine Fairfield County communities, including New Canaan, received a shipment of 1,200 surgical masks on Wednesday, donated by the Connecticut Chapter of the NFL Alumni, to help in the fight against the new coronavirus (COVID-19).

The donation was distributed during a morning event at Darien Town Hall, in which representatives from each community picked up a supply of the masks. Physical distancing protocols were observed at the event.

In addition to New Canaan, the other communities receiving masks are Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, Fairfield, Westport, Darien, Wilton and Weston. A total of 14,000 masks were donated by the group.

"The generosity of group's like the CT NFL Alumni and Grace Farms Foundation in New Canaan is so gratifying," New Canaan First Selectman Kevin Moynihan told Patch. "Everyone is pitching in to support our first responders so they can protect our citizens."

This month, Grace Farms Foundation established a multi-million-dollar relief fund "to help address the critical shortage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for health care workers in Fairfield and New Haven counties."

The Connecticut NFL Alumni donation was spearheaded by Niko Koutouvides, Chapter President, with former players Skip Lane and Bill Cooke, as well as Kelly McCoy, Chapter Marketing director, according to a release about the event.

Though cases are continuing to rise in Connecticut, the apex may be approaching soon, new projections from the Institute of Health Metrics shows.

Below is the full release from Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson; Darien Town Hall hosted the Connecticut NFL Alumni donation event:

The impact of COVID 19 is leaving no one untouched, and the CT Chapter of the NFL Alumni understands that resources are strained throughout many communities in Connecticut,
particularly Fairfield County. Therefore, in an effort to help, the NFL Alumni has purchased surgical masks for first responders in Southwestern Connecticut.

The CT Chapter of the NFL Alumni is donating 14,000 masks to 9 cities and towns in Southwestern, CT hardest hit by the virus. Distribution of the masks will commence tomorrow,
Wednesday, April 8th at 11am at Town Hall (2 Renshaw Road) in Darien, CT. The cities and towns included are: Stamford, Norwalk, Greenwich, Fairfield, Westport, Darien, New Canaan, Wilton and Weston.

Niko Koutouvides, Chapter President, along with former players Skip Lane and Bill Cooke, as well as Kelly McCoy, Chapter Marketing director will be helping pass out the masks, using the appropriate social distancing and safety measures. Jayme Stevenson, First Selectman of the
Town of Darien, has provided a space at Darien Town Hall and has called upon her colleagues in the respective cities and towns to come pick up the donated masks from the NFL Alumni.

The NFL Alumni’s mission is Caring for Kids and Caring for their own. Given the seriousness of this Pandemic that has affected people of all ages, including one of their chapter members (a
former NFL player, who is recovering from a very serious case of the virus), the CT Chapter is pleased and proud to assist our first responders.

The CT Chapter has also postponed the annual Charity Golf Classic that was scheduled to take place on June 1st in Darien. That event will now be held on Monday, September 28th , 2020 at The Country Club of Darien.

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