Coronavirus Stratford: Church Canceled; Mayor Declares Emergency

STRATFORD, CT — Friday brought more closures and cancellations to Stratford as the new coronavirus continues its spread across Connecticut.

A Stratford child who attends Wilcoxson Elementary School has been diagnosed with the virus. Wilcoxson students and staff have been directed to stay home and monitor their health for 14 days. All Stratford public schools are closed, with students scheduled to transition Monday to distance learning.

Stratford Mayor Laura Hoydick announced in an email Friday that the Baldwin Center is suspending all programs, with the exception of its congregate meal program and transportation services for grocery shopping and medical trips. Baldwin Center staff will continue to report to work and be available via phone and email.

The Stratford YMCA will offer limited programming starting Saturday, the mayor said. Residents can visit cccymca.org/locations/stratford for details. The South End Community Center will continue its IRS VITA tax prep program virtually.

The Stratford Clergy Association's Lord's Kitchen will provide take-out meals only, according to the mayor. The following churches have canceled Sunday services: United Methodist Church, Christ Church, First Congregational Church and Lordship Community Church.

Hoydick urged residents to check the town calendar at www.townofstratford.com to confirm whether town meetings of interest had been canceled or postponed.

Stratford's St. Patrick's Day festivities planned for Tuesday will continue, with the exception of the indoor reception and Irish soda bread competition, which are canceled.

The closures and cancellations announced Friday followed similar decisions Thursday by the Stratford Library, Stratford Recreation, Sterling House Community Center and Stratford Police Department.

Also in Friday's email, Hoydick said she had declared a local civil preparedness emergency in Stratford. The declaration gives Hoydick additional authority to address a disaster or emergency, such as the ability to make staffing changes, allocate funds or provide insurance coverage to aid workers, according to Town Attorney Bryan LeClerc.

Connecticut's official count for coronavirus cases was 11 as of 4 p.m. Friday, not including a new diagnosis announced late in the day, the first in the northern part of the state.