Norwalk Coronavirus Update: 5 Deaths Reported; Total Now 46

NORWALK, CT — Forty-six Norwalk residents have died from the new coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Thursday, an increase of five over the day before, and the number of confirmed cases reached 860, Mayor Harry Rilling announced.

Statewide, there were 15,884 cases, and 971 deaths have been reported, according to state health officials. Stamford continues to lead Fairfield County and the state with more than 1,600 cases, and one of its Board of Education members, Jack Bryant, died Thursday morning from the illness.

"Too many in our community are being taken from us too soon," Rilling said. "These five individuals who recently died from coronavirus should still be with us today. I offer my deepest condolences to their families and loved ones."

In Fairfield County, the death toll stands at 406, and there were 6,816 confirmed cases as of Thursday. More than 780 coronavirus patients are currently in Fairfield County hospitals. (Don't miss local and statewide news about coronavirus developments and precautions. Sign up for Patch alerts and daily newsletters.)

Throughout Connecticut, the number of hospitalizations, 1,926 as of Thursday, appears to be slowing, according to Gov. Ned Lamont, who said there were only 18 new hospitalizations on Thursday.

The state's death toll, however, remains "disheartening," he said.

"I know people are hopeful this pandemic will be over soon, and we can return to normal," Rilling said. "I wish that were true. The biggest danger we have is a false sense of complacency. Please continue taking care of yourselves and loved ones by limiting unnecessary shopping and travel. Please also use a cloth face covering, even an old t-shirt, if you must go out. That's the only way we’ll slow the spread of this virus."

This is from Rilling's Thursday announcement:

• Mayor Rilling joined the Norwalk Police and Fire Departments earlier today in a lights and sirens tribute procession outside of Norwalk Hospital. Norwalk’s first responders put this together as a small way to say thank you to hospital employees. Members of the public can continue to offer thanks and show community solidarity by ringing bells at 7 p.m. every day.
• With graduation dates currently up in the air due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many are taking to social media to post their senior class photo in support of the Class of 2020. The Better Business Bureau warns that sharing this information could be providing hackers and scammers with common online security questions. More information can be found here.
• Attorney General William Tong said his office has received over 100 complaints from consumers seeking assistance obtaining refunds for travel cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Complaints include consumers unable to get refunds from airlines, challenges cancelling and postponing cruises, and difficulties cancelling or changing hotel reservations. The Attorney General’s full announcement, and travel guidance, can be found here.

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.