Coronavirus Stratford: Over 300 Asked To Self-Monitor For 2 Weeks

STRATFORD, CT — More than 300 people — many of them children — are being asked to stay home and monitor their health after a Stratford student was diagnosed with the new coronavirus.

Officials announced Tuesday it was possible that a Wilcoxson Elementary School student had the virus — also called COVID-19 — before confirming the diagnosis Thursday. All Wilcoxson students and staff are being asked to remain home and track their temperatures as well as any possible symptoms for the next 14 days, Stratford Director of Health Andrea Boissevain said at a press conference Thursday.

"If you have those symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath — you know what? You probably have COVID-19," Boissevain said.

People who live with Wilcoxson community members — such as parents, siblings and spouses — do not have to stay home, according to Boissevain, but should monitor their health.

Southwestern Connecticut is seeing community-wide transmission of the virus, according to Boissevain, who said after the press conference she "absolutely" expects to see more cases, calling the current situation "the tip of the iceberg."

The Wilcoxson student who was diagnosed with the illness contracted it from another Connecticut resident with the virus, according to Boissevain, who said the student is believed to be the first child confirmed to have COVID-19 in the state. Officials declined to release any identifying information about the student. Boissevain said the child is recovering at home.

Wilcoxson has been closed since Wednesday. The Stratford school district announced Thursday plans to close all schools starting Friday in a move Superintendent Janet Robinson said was intended to avoid the "petri dish" of the school environment. All school field trips and activities are suspended.

Gov. Ned Lamont has waived the requirement that the school year include 180 school days, Robinson said at the press conference, but added the district will implement distance learning while schools are closed, starting Monday. The district hopes schools will reopen after 14-17 calendar days, she said.

In addition to the school closures, the Stratford Library will shut its doors to the public. The town's adult daycare program is canceled and many youth activities have been postponed. Any town meetings that aren't essential will be delayed. Town Hall will stay open, but Mayor Laura Hoydick asked that residents conduct their town business online if possible.

Stratford's coronavirus case is the fifth to be diagnosed in Connecticut. Lamont has declared a state of emergency and many area school districts and colleges have announced closures or switches to online-only learning.

U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-District 3, issued a statement Thursday about the Stratford case.

“I am closely monitoring the situation after learning our District has its first presumptive positive COVID-19 case — a child in Stratford. My thoughts are with their family at this time, and I wish them a speedy recovery," she said in the statement. "... I will continue working in Washington to bring the full resources of the federal government to bear to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus.”

For more information, visit www.townofstratford.com/coronavirus. Questions can be sent to health@townofstratford.com.