Norwalk Coronavirus Update: 2 More Deaths, 18 New Cases

NORWALK, CT — The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Norwalk rose by two on Friday to 79, and new confirmed cases of the virus increased by 18 to 1,621, according to Mayor Harry Rilling.

Statewide as of Friday there were 28,764 confirmed cases and 2,339 deaths. Fairfield County continues to lead all counties in the state in both categories with 11,612 cases and 839 deaths.

Current hospitalizations in Connecticut dropped by 58 to 1,592 as of Friday, but the number of coronavirus-related deaths in nursing homes spiked in the past week to 958 as of May 1. (View Patch's Coronavirus Timeline "From Party Zero to 27,000 Cases")

"I am sad to share that two more of our residents have died from coronavirus," Rilling said. "I wish I didn’t have to make these types of announcements, and I hope someday soon, I won’t have to any longer. I offer my sympathies and prayers to the families who are grieving the loss of their loved ones."

This is from Rilling's Friday announcement:

• Yesterday, Governor Lamont presented an approach his administration is considering to reopen Connecticut’s economy in phases beginning May 20, 2020. The Governor will be releasing more detailed information in the days and weeks ahead that lay out the gradual reopening of certain businesses and activities, which will include guidance for businesses and individuals.
• The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development notified the City of Norwalk that it will receive an allocation of more than $500,000 in CDBG-CV funding. This funding was authorized through the federal CARES Act. The Norwalk Redevelopment Agency is currently accepting applications from interested nonprofit organizations and municipal government agencies for CDBG-CV funding to be used to prevent, prepare for, and respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. Applications for CDBG-CV funding consideration must be received by the Norwalk Redevelopment Agency by 5 p.m. on May 20, 2020 via email to lguttman@norwalkct.org. Applications and more information available at bit.ly/NorwalkCDBG-CV.
• With warmer weather expected the next two days, Mayor Rilling has authorized extra police officers to monitor the beach. Members of the public are asked to maintain proper physical distancing, which will be watched and enforced by NPD.
• Mayor Rilling will be hosting a Zoom Town Hall on Monday, May 4, at 7:45 p.m. He will be joined by Norwalk Police Chief Thomas Kulhawik and State Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff. Members of the public can submit questions live by visiting bit.ly/May4TownHall on Monday. The Town Hall will also be streamed on YouTube and Facebook. No registration is required.

Rilling added, "We are all working to get through this. It’s hard, no doubt about that, and the truth is we are building the plane as we are flying it. I am proud of the team we have in Norwalk – from City staff to volunteers and nonprofit organizations to local business. Everyone is putting in hard work to see we get through this pandemic. My team and I are working on the Reopen Norwalk transition plan, which will follow the guidelines set out by the medical experts. I look forward to sharing those details very soon."

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Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the City's CodeRED Emergency Alert Notification System at norwalkct.org/codered. Updates on City services, hours, and community resources will be routinely published at norwalkct.org/citynews. The latest health updates can be found at norwalkct.org/coronavirus.