Westport Coronavirus: Health District Warns Against Social Events

WESTPORT, CT — As the town deals with its first confirmed case of a patient with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Westport Weston Health District on Friday took the unusual step of reminding residents that now is not the time for parties or other social gatherings.

In a message on the district's website, officials said the recent spate of closings (schools, Town Hall, the library, Parks and Rec office and senior center) should serve as a warning against group events.

"It has come to the attention of the Health District that with school and other closings people are planning social gatherings and other activities," officials said. "The intent of closing schools, business offices and other places people congregate is to prevent, or at least slow down, the spread of the highly transmissible COVID19. The school and other cancellations should not be viewed as a holiday and a time for partying and celebration. They are closed to facilitate voluntary social isolation which is an important tool in lowering the chance of exposure to an infectious disease."

As of Friday, 11 people in Connecticut have tested positive for COVID-19, and more than 130 tests have been completed.

"What we have learned so far about COVID19 is that it is highly transmissible even in small groups," Westport officials said. "One does not have to 'hug and kiss' to become infected. Just talking to someone that is infected, in close proximity, even someone without outward symptoms, can get one infected. It is already happening in our community."

Westport's outbreak has been partially traced back to a private party in town on March 5 where a person who later learned he had the virus came in contact with more than three-dozen people. Fourteen people from that party began experiencing flu-like symptoms on Sunday.

"Now that COVID19 is in the community you should assume that it is just about everywhere, because it can, and most likely is," Westport officials said.

"Social gatherings, large and small are discouraged until the virus has run its course. Those who continue to congregate without appropriate personal protective equipment and do not diligently practice the simple protective measures of washing hands, etc, – are the ones who will be getting sick."

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