Westport Coronavirus Update: 115 Cases; Cops Test Negative

WESTPORT, CT — The number of confirmed cases of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) in Westport rose to 115 on Monday, as the number of cases statewide broke 2,500, according to state health officials. Statewide, the number of deaths related to the virus reached 36 on Monday.

Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe said that as previously reported, one Westport police officer has tested positive for the virus, but none of the other officers tested have contracted it as of Monday.

Norwalk leads the state in the number of confirmed cases with 271, followed by Danbury with 218 and Stamford with 157. Westport is next with 115, followed by Greenwich with 114.

Fairfield County represents more than half of the confirmed cases in Connecticut with 1,445; 21 people in the county have died of complications from the virus.

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Below is Marpe's latest release on Westport's response to the coronavirus:

Police Department COVID-19 Test Results
All Police Department personnel who were tested in the initial two rounds of previously announced testing have now received results. With the exception of the one previously reported positive test, all others have tested negative.

Request for Medical Volunteers
Connecticut's hospitals, nursing homes and medical facilities are in desperate need of medical volunteers. To assist hospitals and healthcare facilities during COVID-19 response efforts, the state is embarking on a campaign to urge people with a healthcare and medical background to register on DPH's registry: https://ctresponds.ct.gov/.

Donations
Westport is accepting ONLY response and recovery donations at curbside by appointment only Monday through Friday between 9:00AM and 12:00 PM. Items that do not assist with the response and recovery cannot be accepted at this time. For a list of currently acceptable donation items and to set up an appointment for pick up, Please go to westportct.gov/itemdonation

Help for Local Businesses
According to Second Selectwoman Jen Tooker, “In an effort to develop relationships with our local business leaders and to work on creative ways to support them, Westport is launching a “trusted advisor” program in partnership with the local non-profit Social Venture Partners (SVP). With access to the talented business men and women who serve as partners at SVP, our local businesses will be able to get financial and business consulting services to help them navigate these uncharted times for free. We will also be working with our Chamber of Commerce to bring SBA loan information to our business community.” More information on the Trusted Advisor program will be forthcoming. In the meantime, if you are able, please consider contributing to the local economy by supporting local restaurants by purchasing giftcards, or buying take-out meals for curbside pick-up or delivery.

It is imperative that everyone stay safe and stay home. Residents should be self-isolating and maintaining “virus distancing” everywhere. Stores and certain businesses remain open to insure that food and essentials are available to the public. All other activities where people may congregate in groups must be avoided. Please do your part – self-isolate and maintain virus distancing at all times and do not gather in groups.

Barbers, hairdressers, cosmetologists, nail technicians, estheticians, eyelash technicians, and massage therapists are discouraged from providing services to customers in homes and other private locations, other than for their immediate families.

• No off leash areas. All dogs must be kept on leash.
• Pets are to be kept close to the handler.
• The 6 ft. physical distancing protocol is to be followed for people and pets.

Elected bodies will continue to meet as needed and meetings will be televised on the usual cable channels using Zoom technology.