Coronavirus Westport: Confirmed Cases Reaches 74, State Says

WESTPORT, CT — Depending on who you believe, state officials or The New York Times, the number of confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in Westport reached 74 (state officials) as of Monday, or 85 (NYT).

Westport remains the Connecticut community with the highest number of infections, largely due to the March 5 private party where dozens of people were exposed to the virus. The Connecticut town with the next highest number is Greenwich, with less than half the number of patients with COVID-19, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

"The increasing number of positive cases is not surprising," said Mark Cooper, director of the Westport Weston Health District, in a statement Sunday. "Last week the number of testing sites and the resulting number of tests being conducted increased significantly. The more testing that gets done, the more COVID19 will be found in Westport and Weston, and across the state. Everyone should assume it is everywhere.

"Of those with confirmed cases in Connecticut, it is interesting to note that the 40 to 49 age group has the highest number of laboratory confirmed COVID19 cases. But no age group is spared, COVID19 can infect anyone."

(To sign up for Westport breaking news alerts and more, click here.)

On Monday, the Times profiled the March 5 event, which it refers to as "Party Zero." A 43-year-old South African businessman who attended the birthday party, and started feeling sick on his flight home. He learned he had COVID-19 and spoke with health district officials, who then began trying to contact tracing the other guests. They soon learned that such an effort was impossible because so many people at the party had moved around the county, New York and beyond.

In a video release on Friday, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe said that its no use vilifying the party's hosts, attendees or others because the virus has simply spread too far too quickly.

Statewide, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases is over 400, and there have been 10 deaths, officials said. More than 50 people currently are hospitalized with COVID-19 in Connecticut.

From the WWHD statement:

Working closely with Town Officials, WWHD has arranged for additional community testing at the Bedford Middle School, 88 North Avenue, Westport. Residents of Westport and Weston only can be tested by Murphy Medical Associates, a private company, on the following dates/times:

Tuesday, March 24, 2000* 8:30AM – 12:00PM
Tuesday, March 31, 2020* 8:30AM – 12:00PM
Tuesday, April 7, 2020* 8:30AM – 12:00PM

***These will be a drive through testing site and everyone must stay in their cars with the windows closed until asked to lower them. Pre-registration is required and those seeking testing must meet CDC screening requirements to be tested. This testing is not free – insurance may cover the cost depending on each individual’s coverage.

Visit www.coronatestct.com or call 203-658-6051 to learn more about the testing, costs and/or to begin the screening and registration process.

There are also other testing opportunities around the state. Some are listed below. People can learn more about each site’s screening process, costs, location and dates of testing by calling the associated call center or hotline telephone number below.

• Yale New Haven Health system COVID-19 Call Center 1-833-275-9644
• Hartford Health Care hotline 1-833-621-0600
• Stamford Health COVID hotline 1-203-276-4111
• Connecticut Children’s Hospital 1-833-226-2362
• DOCS Urgent Care https://docsmedicalgroup.com/t...

Read The New York Times story.