Westport Coronavirus: Marpe Sets Up Group For COVID-19 Response

WESTPORT, CT — The town is turning to an Incident Command Structure moving forward to manage Westport's response to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), First Selectman Jim Marpe announced Thursday afternoon. Such a process "is based on well-tested practices for similar community-wide incidents and includes key public safety and other town officials."

The move toward the new response structure comes on the heels of officials announcing that COVID-19 is in the community, in part due to a person with the virus exposing 40 people to it at a recent party in Westport. Officials said 14 people from that party have experienced flu-like symptoms and may have the virus.

"The spread of COVID-19 to Westport is a community-wide concern," said Marpe in a statement. "In varying degrees, COVID-19 is affecting our neighbors, co-workers, classmates, relatives and friends. No one is at fault that it made its way to Westport. Quite frankly, it was inevitable. In addition to being vigilant relative to our health and social interactions, we also need to act and react to the situation appropriately and with reason and civility."

According to the Westport Weston Health District, "The fact of the matter is that this virus is going to spread, and if you have symptoms, it is likely that you have COVID-19." The WWHD has started a waiting list for COVID-19 testing, and the district is managing testing for those in Westport who may have been exposed and are exhibiting symptoms.

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As of Thursday, there are six confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut, and nearly 100 people have been tested, the vast majority of whom have tested negative.

From Marpe's announcement:

To mitigate the spread, it is imperative that every day and everywhere people diligently practice the simple and effective control measures of washing hands, not touching your face, and covering coughs or sneezes, until the virus runs its course. If you want to reduce exposure, you should use discretion if going out, particularly if you will be in a large group of people.

If you have a suspicion you have come into contact with COVID-19, you should self- isolate. Guidelines on self-isolation are on the state public health site CT State Department of Public Health Resources.

To reiterate, the essential protocol is:

• People who are ill but not critically so, should stay at home. If they are at high risk for having contracted COVID-19, they should reach out to their physicians BY PHONE OR EMAIL who can then contact the State Department of Public Health and get advice as to whether they should be tested or isolate themselves at home.
• Self-isolation is indicated for people who have had direct contact with any person known to have COVID-19 and/or experiences any flu like symptoms including fever, shortness of breath, or other respiratory symptoms.

This is a very fluid and fast-moving situation. The Town and Health District will continue to work with the State Health Department and CDC to reduce the impact to the community. Residents are urged to stay up to date by visiting www.westportct.gov/covid-19

In the meanwhile, please take this situation seriously, but stay positive and be considerate of all of our neighbors.