The Westport Weston Health District (WWHD) is no longer conducting COVID-19 tests and said residents should assume everyone has come in contact with the virus.
In a statement, the WWHD said the number of COVID-19 in Westport and the state “are going up and they will continue to go up.”
Mark A.R. Cooper, WWHD director, gave no new numbers on cases in Westport. On Monday, the state said the number was 21.
Cooper said he advised First Selectman Jim Marpe that COVID-19 testing is now being conducted by the state through its 2-1-1 hotline.
He said the WWHD’s initial contact trace testing is completed.
“The WWHD has one final round to testing for those who were part of the initial investigation and is only open to those already contacted directly by the WWHD,” Cooper said.
That investigation followed a March 5 going away party in Westport where about 14 guests later reported flu-like symptoms, Cooper said at a March 11 Town Hall news conference. He said a man from an unnamed country at the party returned home and later reported he had contracted the virus.
Cooper declined to name the country, but on Sunday, the Johannesburg Sunday Times said the man was a middle-aged South African businessman.
“Unless you have been contacted by the WWHD with an invitation for a test, the WWHD is no longer testing for COVID-19,” he said.
Residents who feel symptomatic of COVID-19 are instructed to call the state’s 2-1-1 hotline and a series of questions will be asked by a call representative and a physician referral will be required for test approval.
“The WWHD is no longer attempting to trace individuals who might have come into contact with the virus,” Cooper said.
“It is no longer about parties, schools, religious institutions, employment, etc. Residents should assume that everyone has come into contact with COVID-19.
“Many can have the virus with no symptoms at all. The number of COVID-19 cases in Westport and the State of Connecticut are going up and they will continue to go up.”
Cooper said the WWHD is contacting all Westport residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and advising them of their need for strict voluntary isolation.
“They are instructed not to go out, but to stay home,” he said. “If they require something and must go out, they should wear a mask and gloves so they do not spread the virus.
“To avoid contracting or spreading COVID-19, the WWHD again reminds residents to practice everything that has already been recommended including washing your hands thoroughly, not touching your face and practicing social distancing.”
Late today, the state’s chief epidemiologist said Connecticut likely has more than 6,000 cases of COVID-19, compared to the 68 positive tests that have been reported by state and private labs as a lack of testing hinders officials’ ability to truly measure the spread of the disease.
“You should assume that there’s at least 100 people out there who have COVID-19 for every single positive, which puts us around 6,000 or so,” Matthew Cartter said. “And that might be a low estimate.”
The majority of the state’s cases – 48 – are in Fairfield County. Another eight are in New Haven County, seven are in Hartford County and five are in Litchfield County. Twenty-six people are now hospitalized with coronavirus. No one in Connecticut has died from it.
While there have been no positive tests in the eastern part of Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont said that it’s only a matter of time.
“It’s been accelerating through the state,” he said. “Fairfield County is where the bulk of the incidents are, but now Litchfield County, Hartford County and New Haven County [have cases]. Southeast Connecticut is, thankfully, the last to have an incident. But we know it’s coming.”
As hospitals prepare for a surge in patients, Lamont said the state is expediting certification for trainee nurses and reaching out to retired nurses to bolster staffing. He called on day care centers to remain open, so parents who work in hospitals or provide other emergency services have a place to turn to for child care.
The state expects to receive additional federal funding to expand Medicaid, known as HUSKY in Connecticut, and is opening enrollment on Access Health CT, the insurance exchange, for people who find themselves without coverage.
Lamont said today that he’s not yet ready to consider a “shelter in place” mandate, which would prevent people from leaving their homes except under certain circumstances, such as a trip to the grocery store or the doctor’s office. New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has warned his residents to prepare for that directive.
“I think the people of Connecticut understand the scope of what we’re confronting, and on a voluntary basis, they’re stepping up and doing the right thing,” Lamont said.
—Jenna Carlesso, CTMirror.org, contributed reporting for this story.
