The governor said the Department of Public Health and other state agencies are in constant contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and will be regularly updating the state website as new information comes in.

There have been no confirmed cases of coronavirus in Connecticut yet.

“This is not a call to make you nervous, it’s a call to give you confidence that we’re ready for what’s going forward here,” said Lamont. “Right now I feel like Connecticut is a little ahead of the game, in terms of our preparation going forward.”

Earlier today the Connecticut Emergency Management Association wrote a letter to Lamont expressing concerns about an “extreme shortage” of personal protection equipment, asking the governor to take immediate action to ensure health care and public safety providers have the materials they need.

The association also asked the governor to partially activate the state’s emergency Operation Center and launch plans to respond to a pandemic.

Lamont acknowledged “there’s a scramble” to find medical equipment given the global spread of the disease, but he said hospitals are ready to start accepting patients, and that officials are looking for other protective equipment “wherever we can find it. That’s true of every state in the country.”

Hartford HealthCare routinely prepares for emergencies like the coronavirus, said Dr. Ajay Kumar, chief medical officer for the hospital system, which activated its Emergency Preparedness Plan in early January.

Kumar said Hartford HealthCare currently has a more than 30-day supply of the necessary medical equipment, but would continue to monitor that supply as the situation evolves.

“This is always a concern for us,” Kumar said. “We keep a constant watch on that. Obviously things can change very rapidly, but we feel very well prepared on that at this time.”

Jennifer Jackson, CEO of the Connecticut Hospital Association, said the state’s hospitals are prepared to care for patients with the virus.

“This is what hospitals do. We regularly prepare, we plan, we train for outbreaks of disease,” Jackson said, noting hospitals are working with the Department of Public Health and other state agencies and are in regular communication with each other as they learn more about the virus, also called COVID-19.

Concern is rooted in uncertainty about the virus

The mystery surrounding this new virus, and what could happen if a hotspot forms in the U.S., has driven the public attention — and fear, said UConn Assistant Professor in Pathobiology Steven M. Szczepanek.

“People’s responses to these viruses, I think, is about the novelty. Every time we see a new virus pop up we see this happen. We had similar kind of scares with MERS, and that kind of died out. We had a lot of uncertaintly with Zika. And now people are concerned with COVID-19,” he said.

Szczepanek contrasted the public’s focus on coronavirus with its response to influenza.

“The flu, we’re used to it. We see it every year and the numbers are staggering and the numbers are so much more impactful – and yet the flu hasn’t caused millions of people to be quarantined, it hasn’t caused substantial losses in the stock market the way that COVID-19 is.”

It is unclear if coronavirus is more fatal than the flu

The almost 2% mortality rate of those infected with COVID-19 that has been widely reported is flawed, according to Szczepanek.

It is likely that many people are contracting mild versions of COVID-19, or that they are even asymptomatic carriers and are spreading the virus, but these are unconfirmed cases that are not factored into that 2% mortality rate. If they were, the percentage would be much smaller, the professor said.

“That number is somewhat artificially inflated,” he said. “I think when we look back on this several years from now, we are going to see that it is not as virulent as is being reported.”

By comparison, the flu is extremely widespread and deadly. Tens of thousands of people have died from the flu already this winter.

“I think a lot of the hysteria around this is associated with the newness of the virus,” he said.

Trying to avoid it? Face masks won’t help.

“A lot of people buy [masks] thinking that they are protected, but that does not stop respiratory droplets from getting into your face,”  said Szczepanek. “They essentially provide no protection. A lot of people think they do. I won’t say that it won’t help you absolutely at all. But they are nearly useless at protecting you from someone else who is sick.”

Even the N95 respirator mask, which is recommended for health professionals and is designed to fit tightly and filter out small particles, doesn’t completely eliminate the risk of contracting the illness.

Symptoms of coronavirus include cough, shortness of break, fever and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.

Masks should be worn by those who do have the virus, however, to protect others from the spread of germs, Szczepanek and health care professionals said.

To protect yourself from the coronavirus, follow the basic hygiene guidelines you learned as a child: wash your hands often and thoroughly, and sneeze and cough into a tissue.

“People tend to dismiss things that sound simple,” said Jackson, of the hospital association. “It sounds simple, but it works, and it’s going to be one of the biggest weapons that we have against this.”

Matt Carter, the state’s epidemiologist, said because the disease isn’t currently spreading throughout the state, new recommendations could come later.

“There will be other social distancing measures that come into play later on,” Carter said, like standing six feet apart from others or cancelling large group gatherings. “These kinds of activities may well be recommended, and something that we’ve actually never seen in the 35 years that I’ve been here.”

If you get coronavirus, there’s not much you can do but self-isolate

There are no vaccines or antivirals to treat this virus, yet.

“You can’t really stop it,” Szczepanek said. “If it does transmit, then the virus is going to spread like wildfire. This virus seems very difficult to contain, so I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes almost impossible to contain. It will require herculean efforts to contain.”

It is recommended that those who test positive stay home to avoid spreading the disease. Research into the first 425 confirmed cases of the virus by Edward H. Kaplan, a Yale Professor of Public Health at the Yale School of Medicine, showed that isolation will quell outbreaks.

“The good news is that, in principle, case isolation alone is sufficient to end community outbreaks of [COVID-19] transmission, provided that cases are detected efficiently,”Kaplan wrote.

“One only needs to review the daily news to comprehend the rise in mental health and substance misuse issues among children, adults and seniors across the country,” Daignault said.
She encouraged residents are to take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/WCPCCS2020 and/or contact the Department of Human Services at (203) 341-1050 for more information or assistance in accessing a paper copy.

According to Daignault, the anonymous survey, is designed to provide helpful information as the Coalition embarks on prevention and resource development efforts addressing substance misuse, mental health services and the overall wellness. She said that data will be used to advise local programming efforts.

“We are proud to continue to partner with the Town of Westport in raising behavioral health as a community priority and are excited to have this process be informed by community members in identifying and addressing the issues most important to them,” said Jennifer Hrbek, executive director of Positive Directions

Daignault said the CRS will complement youth and parent surveys administered through Positive Directions in partnership with Westport Public Schools. She added that the next youth and parent survey will take place during the 2020-2021 academic year. 

For further information and statistics, Daignault encouraged residents to visit the Regional Behavioral Health Action Organization, The Hub CT’s website.

“The same steps which prevent other respiratory viruses, including influenza from spreading, can also prevent 2019-nCoV from spreading. “

The letter added; “As such, the district is continuing with standard infection control precautions in our schools, including routine cleaning of regularly touched surfaces. “

It then listed various steps to take in an effort to reduce the spread of respiratory viruses, including:

 cover coughs/sneezes;
 frequently and thoroughly wash hands;
 routinely clean touched objects and surfaces;
 keep children home when they have early symptoms indicative of flu (e.g. fever, headache, extreme fatigue, dry cough, sore throat, muscle aches or runny nose with unusual tiredness); and  keep children home until they are fully recovered from an illness (e.g., have no fever, vomiting or diarrhea for at least 24 hours, are no longer significantly fatigued or in need of extra sleep, and have significantly reduced respiratory symptoms).

The Stop & Shop health screenings are sponsored by Tylenol.

Since the flu is on the rise and can have symptoms similar to the Coronavirus, being vaccinated takes on greater importance this year, Cooper said.

“Anyone with symptoms of a cough, fever, aches, or any flu-like symptoms should contact their primary care provider for an evaluation and possible influenza testing,” the WWHD said.

The Health District has both influenza and pneumonia vaccines available; anyone wanting to be vaccinated can contact the Health District by calling 203-227-9571 x231 to schedule an appointment, the announcement said.

At the present time, testing for this new coronavirus strain is only available at the CDC.

“The state is closely monitoring reported cases and remaining cautious on behalf of the public,” Lamont said.

Connecticut is at the height of respiratory virus season.  Influenza activity in Connecticut is widespread.  A total of 784 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season. 

Seven new influenza-associated deaths were reported last week, resulting in a total of 20 influenza-associated deaths reported since the beginning of the 2019-20 season.

CDC believes at this time that symptoms of the coronavirus may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure. No vaccine or specific treatment for the infection is available, however care is supportive.

Hittle said that given the property was not currently under the jurisdiction of any “regulatory programs”—and probably wouldn’t be given these low levels—remediation could simply consist of mixing and moving the earth about the property.

“The DEEP in my opinion would not have the appetite to get involved with a site like this,” he said, calling it “relatively minor.”

He said, however, the town needs to weigh costs versus concern, offering several options that included relocating the contaminated soil to New Jersey, which would run $250,000 to $500,000, moving it across town to one of two sites by the Greens Farms Train Station, or just covering it where it is.

Peter Ratkiewich, director of the Department of Public Works, said that whatever the town chose to do, it would involve lengthy permit processes and additional cost.

“This problem isn’t anyone’s fault,” he said. “It’s inherent in the soil we inherited … We now own it, so we have to deal with it, one way or another.”

A view of the area on the Baron’s South, just south of the parking lot cul de sac, where the soil mound is spread. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

To begin, the BOS is asking Hittle to do more testing throughout the property, to conduct a historical assessment, and — at the urging of at least two RTM members — employ a professional to do a health risk assessment as well.

“It’s important for us to understand how and when arsenic is dangerous,” said Kristen Schneeman, RTM District 9.

“Planting grass on it and hoping we all forget about it ... isn’t the right solution,” she said.

“I’m very disturbed,” said Sal Liccione, District 9, noting that the previous DPW director, Steve Edwards, who was brought in as a consultant earlier on the question, “needs to explain himself” as to why the soil wasn’t tested over two years ago.

Two of the petitioners—Morley Boyd and John Suggs—were also upset, citing an email chain that showed officials had moved some of the soil offsite, despite claims that they hadn’t.

In particular, Boyd presented the BOS with an email chain from June, 2018, obtained through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) that includes an exchange between Jennifer Fava, Parks and Recreation Department director, and Dan DeVito, operations supervisor, in which they discuss using some of the fill at Baron’s South for a “berm” in the Soundview parking lot at Compo Beach.

“When do you want to pick it up?” Fava asks.

“Can we do it on Monday?” DeVito says.

Boyd also presented pictures, which he said showed the same soil from Baron’s South at the parking lot a short time later.

“A reasonable assumption is that Parks and Recreation did what they said they were going to do,” he said.

Morley Boyd presents the selectmen with a copy of an email chain which he maintains shows that the tainted soil has been removed from the Baron’s South Park and used in a parking lot at Compo Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

But Ratkiewich, who maintains that none of the soil has ever left the property, said this email did not represent “a smoking gun.”

“I would maintain that this is hearsay,” he said, noting that soils can look very much alike and he didn’t believe it was the same soil.

Meanwhile Suggs was chastised by First Selectman Jim Marpe two separate times after he shouted out during the meeting.

“Test it!” Suggs yelled out during a testy exchange between Ratkiewich and Boyd.

“Would you please excuse yourself, John,” Marpe said, banging his gavel. “You have no right to be shouting out here. You’ll get your turn.”

One RTM member, Louis Mall, District 2, defended town officials and said there was no danger posed by the soil.

“This is not ... a health hazard to anyone,” he said, noting the recommendation at the November RTM meeting was “to do nothing.”

“I think the town needs to know how its employees are being treated,” he said, calling the complaint a frivolous goose chase on the part of Boyd and Suggs.

“I would like to call a halt to this harassment that is going on in Westport with this FOIA nonsense,” he said.

Ratkiewich said he would try to get back to the BOS with an update in about six to eight weeks following Hittle’s findings.

At that time, he said, he would prepare cost estimates on different options.