Coronavirus Stamford: First Resident Tests Positive For Virus

STAMFORD, CT — A Stamford resident who recently returned from international travel has tested positive for the new Coronavirus, city officials announced early Thursday afternoon. This is the first reported case of the COVID-19 virus among Stamford residents and the fourth Connecticut resident overall to test positive for the virus.

In a detailed statement emailed Thursday, city officials said the resident returned from traveling on Tuesday, March 10, and was preemptively isolated at Stamford Hospital. The resident tested positive for the virus late Wednesday evening, officials said.

Officials also emphasized the resident's infection was not contracted in the United States or Stamford. (To sign up for Stamford breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

"We anticipated this event for the past two months," Stamford Health's Chief of Infectious Diseases Michael Parry said in a statement. "We were, and are, ready to take care of patients in a safe and effective manner."

Officials said the resident arrived at John F. Kennedy International Airport on Wednesday and showed symptoms of COVID-19.

"The resident's family picked up the individual from the airport and adhered to all precautionary measures recommended for individuals who recently traveled from areas with high levels of COVID-19 reports, including Wuhan Province in China, Italy, Iran and South Korea," officials said in a statement.

The resident was immediately provided with a face mask and gloves, and traveled in a private vehicle to minimize potential exposure to others, officials said.

"I applaud these residents for following the recommended precautionary measures in this incident," Mayor David Martin said in a statement. "These measures are the type of small changes we can make in our habits to reduce exposure risk in Stamford's community."

Upon arrival at Stamford Hospital, medical workers "utilized the appropriate personal protective equipment" and adhered to all the measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials said. The resident has been placed in isolation at Stamford Hospital and will remain in isolation until they are deemed well by medical professionals, officials said.

"At this time, the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health and Stamford's Department of Health do not believe the individual or the individual's family exposed any other Stamford residents to the virus," officials said, "however the individual's family has been placed in voluntary quarantine at home as a precautionary measure."

Stamford Public Schools also announced Thursday that "all schools will be closed to students beginning Friday, March 13, through at least Friday, March 27, 2020."

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

As of Thursday afternoon, five Connecticut residents, including the Stamford patient, and two hospital employees have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, Greenwich Hospital announced Thursday morning a New York resident who received treatment in the hospital's emergency department tested positive for the virus.

On Sunday, a Wilton resident tested positive for the virus. The second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, state officials announced that an elderly man from New Canaan tested positive for the virus. They also issued a stern warning that the number of cases is expected to significantly increase over the next week.

On Thursday, a person in Stratford became the fifth Connecticut resident to be diagnosed with the virus. The news came after officials announced earlier in the week that a Wilcoxson Elementary School student had been exposed to the virus and become ill.

Residents who want more information about the city's response to COVID-19 can visit the city website at www.stamfordct.gov/covid19.