A chill in the air — temperatures in the low 60s — likely kept many away from Westport’s Compo Beach today on the second day of the Memorial Day weekend. But those who did show up appeared to be observing social distancing. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport’s COVID-19 cases increased by four to 284 while the number of deaths was unchanged at 22 in the last 24 hours, state officials said today.

There were 18 new fatalities statewide as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the total to 3,693, Gov. Ned Lamont said. The Fairfield County number was 1,215, up seven.

Statewide hospitalizations dropped again to 701, down 23 while In Fairfield County, there was an increase of five to 232. Statewide cases were 40.468, up 446 while Fairfield County cases were at 15,114 up 125.

Statewide tests administered were 214,136 up 5,769 in the last 24 hours, Lamont said

Earlier today, WestportNow published a picture of a Memorial Day salute on a wall on Compo Road South at Hidden Hill. Turns out that was the unfinished product. Betsy and Hal Kravitz, owners of Joey’s by the Shore Featuring Elvira Mae’s Coffee Bar, sent this picture of the completed work. “We hope it puts smiles on everyone’s face for Memorial Day weekend,” said Betsy in an email. CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Members of Westport’s grade 6-12 bands played in this “virtual” Memorial Day parade extravaganza in place of the real thing.  Music teachers James Forgey, Lou Kitchner, Gregg Winters, and Phil Giampietro put together the digital performance aided by Staples High School media teacher Geno Heiter who spent hours merging all the photos with the final ensemble mix. It. will officially debut Monday at 9 a.m. on local cable channels 79 (Optimum) and 6020 (Frontier) and will be accessible on the Westport local government website as well as on YouTube and various social media platforms. YouTube video

Lou Kitchner, director of the seventh grade Bedford Middle School band, provided this background to the making of Westport’s “Virtual” Memorial Day Parade:

Due to the COVID-19 school closure, Westport students have been unable to participate in the traditional school experiences that have been a significant part of their daily activities.

One of the many common school experiences that has been affected by the sudden switch to distance learning is the ability for them to make music with their peers in their weekly music classes.

In an effort to address this problem, and also honor the many Westport fallen heroes, veterans and first responders, the Westport Public Schools 6-12 grade band directors embarked on a project to create a “virtual” Memorial Day Parade band performance.

A Hidden Hill couple painted this Memorial Day salute today on a wall on Compo Road South at Hidden Hill. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

A vehicle traveling northbound on the Merritt Parkway just past the North Avenue overpass went off the roadway tonight and rolled over, landing in wetlands. The vehicle was found approximately 50 feet in the woods among heavy brush and mud, said Assistant Chief Matthew Cohen. “It was reported that the three occupants of the vehicle were possibly ejected from the vehicle,” he said. All three were transported to Norwalk Hospital for what were believed to be non life-threatening injuries, he said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Westport Fire Department photo