Coronavirus Stratford: High School Student Doesn't Have COVID-19

STRATFORD, CT — A Stratford High School student thought to potentially have the new coronavirus that is spreading rapidly across the state has tested negative for the virus, also called COVID-19, according to town officials.

“Despite this good news, we would like to stress that this should not provide residents with a false sense of security,” a town news release announcing the test results said. “Community transmission of COVID-19 is still occurring and everyone is at risk at contracting this virus regardless of known exposure.”

While only a single case of the new coronavirus has been confirmed so far in Stratford, more than 100 cases were confirmed in Fairfield County as of Thursday, at which point three Connecticut residents had died of the virus. Health officials have said residents should assume that for every positive test that means 100 people have the virus.

In the Stratford case, which was confirmed last week, the patient is a Wilcoxson Elementary School student. All Wilcoxson staff and students have been asked to stay home and monitor their health for 14 days.

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Stratford officials announced the possible second COVID-19 case over the weekend but Mayor Laura Hoydick said in an email Thursday to residents that the test specimen for the Stratford High School student was sent to the West Coast for processing.

The Stratford Health Department in the news release Thursday advised residents to watch for symptoms of the new coronavirus, including fever, cough and shortness of breath. The department also encouraged residents to practice social distancing and hand washing.

COVID-19 has brought sweeping changes in recent weeks to daily life for Connecticut residents. In Stratford, all municipal buildings are closed to the public, although town personnel remain reachable by phone and email. Town board and commission meetings have been canceled. Schools are closed, and students are learning remotely. Across the state, restaurants, hair salons and other businesses have been ordered to lock their doors in an effort to slow the virus.

For more information about the new coronavirus and its affect on Stratford, visit www.townofstratford.com/coronavirus, call the town health department at 203-385-4090 or email health@townofstratford.com.