Further, he said, “The current mortality rate only reflects those who have had severe illness … As more people are tested the mortality rate is bound to go down.”

That said, elderly people and those with challenged immune systems or pre-existing medical conditions need to take caution.

Whether schools will be closed for a period, or what other quarantine measures might go into place, were among unanswered questions from among some 75 people who attended the forum, which was also simulcast on the Internet.

“I want to emphasize that the town’s and the Westport Public Schools’ (WPS) decisions will be guided by the information and recommendations of the Westport Weston Health District,” First Selectman Jim Marpe said.

“I’m confident that the town and public schools will make decisions based on medical science and sound disease-control experience,” he said.

Louis Donofrio, director of clinical care with the Westport Weston Health District, shares information on preventing the illness for individuals. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

Officials all stressed that they are sharing information several times a day, further cautioning the public to gather their own only from reliable sources.

“We’re all going to be sharing the same information,” said Cooper, noting the health district’s site—www.WWHD.org—is linked to both the town and WPS websites.

“I’m not panicking,” said Sue Pfister, executive director of the Center for Senior Activities, which is remaining open at this time.

Like officials at the schools, Town Hall, and even the library itself, she said extra care is being taken with cleaning and sanitizing.

“I have no restrictions on people coming in,” she said, at the same time noting that her constituents there have been proactive in no visiting the center if they have felt any sort of illness coming on.

“I would hate to have to close down for two weeks,” Pfister said, noting that plans are also being looked at for those who are serviced with delivered meals.

Likewise, Suzanne Levasseur, health services supervisor for the WPS, said it would be a shame to close the schools but they would do so if it got to the point where it could be pivotal in helping control the spread of the virus.

“The decision is ultimately the superintendent’s,” she said, but noted he has been in regular discussion with town officials.

Audience members listen to today’s forum. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Facebook photo

“We do follow well-established guidelines that are evidence-based,” she said, commending the experience and judgment of the nursing staff.

“Can we really trust what the CDC is telling you?” one resident asked, citing national politics.

Cooper said Yes, noting they were considered one of the best sources of information.

Another resident asked about train travel, and while Cooper said there was no particular need to be worried about it—especially as transit officials are also engaged in much more extensive cleaning procedures—he cautioned that those who are at high risk of contracting the illness “might want to consider alternate means of travel” for the immediate future.

“We want to reduce exposure,” said Louis Donofrio, director of clinical care at the health district.

“If you think you have the flu, don’t go out shopping and sneezing on everyone,” he said.

About halfway through the forum, an attendee noted that word was just received of the first case to appear over the border in Wilton.

“There you go!” Cooper said.

“The good news is,” said State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, “is that the people we entrust with looking out for our interest have been talking.”

“Almost every day something new is being learned and is being incorporate,” Cooper said of reaction to the virus.

He and others likened it to other viruses that have sparked health crises, and again reminded everyone to not panic but exercise precaution.

“Warm soap and water,” Cooper said. “That’s really our recommendation.”

The state has tested 12 people for the illness so far; all the tests were negative. The governor’s office said tonight it has requested more tests from the federal government to comply with new guidance about which patients should be tested.

The public health department was provided with kits capable of testing slightly more than 500 patients. Officials are concerned that, because the new guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention casts a broader net, the state will run out of tests.

The state’s testing lab in Rocky Hill has the capacity to conduct about 15-to-20 tests per day, Coleman-Mitchell said in a call Thursday. But Connecticut has entered into an arrangement to expand its testing capacity starting Monday by working in collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, the commissioner said, though she did not say by how much that capacity would grow.

While legislative leaders expressed confidence today that a thorough, systemic response plan — which coordinates hundreds of public- and private-sector entities — can be accomplished, the first step is less complex: Set up a system to begin sharing information and distributing it to the public.

“We don’t want to frighten people,” said Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. “We really just want to do this methodically so people know we are working to provide them the answers they want so they know they are safe.”

Three legislative panels will begin the process with a 9 a.m. forum with state agency leaders, hospital officials and representatives from colleges and universities.

Lawmakers from public health will join the Appropriations and Higher Education and Employment Advancement committees for the joint forum at the Legislative Office Building. But leaders from all groups said they expect this is just the beginning of a process that will complement ongoing efforts in the executive branch, and ultimately include more legislative panels as well.

“Right now what we’re just trying to do is make sure those lines of communication are open, that everyone’s talking to one another,” said Sen. Mary Abrams, D-Meriden, co-chair of the Public Health Committee

The coronavirus had claimed 11 American lives by mid-Thursday afternoon, and spread to at least 163 patients in 18 states, including New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

China remains the most deeply affected country, with more than 80,000 cases and 3,000 deaths as of Thursday afternoon.

Still, the pandemic raises a host of challenges for Connecticut and other states as they grapple with the coronavirus threat.

One of the most immediate is figuring out what preparations need to be made for prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, college campuses and other locations where many people live in close quarters

The latter is particularly challenging, said Rep. Greg Haddad, D-Mansfield, co-chair of the higher education committee.

Colleges and universities not only send students abroad, but their populations are melting pots that attract guests from all over the world.

“If this pandemic does grow, what plans might they be putting in place now for distance learning, how do we stay on course for training our students, even when congregating them together in a single place might not be the best practice?” Haddad asked.

“If this pandemic does grow, what plans might they be putting in place now for distance learning, how do we stay on course for training our students, even when congregating them together in a single place might not be the best practice?”
Rep. Greg Haddad, D-Mansfield

But this type of question is just one example of the challenges Connecticut faces.

What types of testing may be needed? What role does state and local government play in overseeing this? What help might be needed in rural areas to make testing available? And who will pay for it?

Connecticut is guaranteed at least $4 million in federal assistance, and possibly more, under an aid package approved by Congress this week. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said on a news conference call tonight that she estimates Connecticut would receive at least $7 million.

But there will certainly be a fiscal impact on Connecticut’s budget as well, likely in excess of $10 million, Osten said.

“We’re not going to be able to anticipate everything,” said Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, the other co-chair of the Public Health Committee.

But there are two steps that have to be taken very soon, he said.

First, the legislature and executive branch must work jointly to set up protocols — a process to follow so that when a problem is identified, five different state agencies don’t try five different approaches to solve it.

Coleman-Mitchell said the state’s 2-1-1 Infoline will begin providing general information on the coronavirus starting Friday. In addition, households can learn more by visiting the Department of Public Health’s website at http://www.ct.gov/coronavirus

“We should be able to reassure municipalities, people who provide care for people, most importantly the average citizen in Connecticut,” Steinberg said. “They should be clear on what to do and what not to do and where to go when they have questions.”

Elizabeth Hamilton contributed to this story.