Superintendent of Schools Thomas Scarice today issued the following update to school families:

Dear Westport Families and Staff,

Shortly after I sent an update earlier this evening of confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in the District, we received word of one connected to Stepping Stones Preschool. Through the swift initial contact tracing involving Mrs. Lynda Codeghini, Preschool Director, Mrs. Sue Levasseur, our Health Services Supervisor, and Mr. Michael Rizzo, Assistant Superintendent for Pupil Personnel Services, we were able to quickly identify the affected students and staff.

Those impacted have been notified by school and District officials. As a reminder, families are asked to report positive of COVID-19 cases of students using our reporting voicemail or email regardless of whether the students are in remote or hybrid models of instruction. Please follow this link for more information on reporting.

Respectfully,
Thomas Scarice
Superintendent of Schools

The state said its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 13, at 600 (550 confirmed and 50 probable) and deaths unchanged at 24 (16 confirmed and 8 probable).

The state said its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 16, at 587 (540 confirmed and 47 probable) and deaths unchanged at 24 (16 confirmed and 8 probable).

The state said its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 24 since Friday, at 571 (529 confirmed and 42 probable) and deaths unchanged at 24 (16 confirmed and 8 probable).

The state said its Westport COVID-19 case count was up 10, at 547 (509 confirmed and 38 probable) and deaths unchanged at 24 (16 confirmed and 8 probable). According to a 14-day rolling average, Westport has a rate of 22.4 cases per 100,000, corresponding to the “red” category of 15+ cases per 100,000.

First Selectman Jim Marpe issued the following statement today:

Average Daily Rate of COVID-19 Cases Among Persons Living in Community Settings per 100,000 Population By Town - Westport data highlighted (CLICK TO ENLARGE) CT Dept. of Public Health

The State of Connecticut has implemented a color-coded map indicating the average daily rate of COVID-19 cases among persons living in community settings per 100,000 population by town. According to a 14-day rolling average, Westport has a rate of 22.4 corresponding to the “red” category of 15+ cases per 100,000.  The colors are meant to give communities an accurate account of the prevalence of COVID-19 so that appropriate personal precautions can be managed. The map and additional data links may be found at www.westportct.gov/covid19.

Given this status, the CT Department of Health (DPH) recommends the following:

• High risk individuals stay home and stay safe.
• Others should limit trips outside of the home and avoid gatherings with non-family members.
• Organized indoor activities, as well as outdoor activities where social distancing and mask wearing cannot be maintained, should be postponed.
• Gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people.

As noted in our November 12 press release, the new COVID cases are primarily a result of large gatherings, parties and organized sports activities. As such, the Westport Public Schools, Westport businesses and restaurants and other public facilities will continue to operate under the State’s Phase 2.1 guidelines. The Westport Library will remain open with its expanded hours and services (M-F 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.). All Library events will continue to be virtual.  Visit www.westportlibrary.org for more information.