UPDATE: This report was updated on Saturday, March 7 with new information about potential COVID-19 exposures at a third regional hospital that serves Newtown patients.

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In partnership with The Newtown Bee, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal and Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert launched the first in what is expected to be a series of outreach videos to help disseminate accurate and timely local information related to the COVID-19 virus situation just hours before a "potential exposure" situation was announced at two area hospitals.

Since then, a third area hospital that serves Newtown patients is the subject of an alert because of possible virus exposures. On Saturday, March 7, Governor Ned Lamont announced the Connecticut Department of Public Health was informed of a second New York State resident who works in Connecticut - and has tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The individual is a community physician who made rounds at Bridgeport Hospital and did not show signs or symptoms of coronavirus while working with patients and stayed home to self-monitor.

“This most recent case of another New York resident who works in Connecticut testing positive for COVID-19 shows us what we already know – coronavirus is here and viruses don’t stop at state borders," the governor said.

“Bridgeport Hospital officials were in direct communication with the Connecticut Department of Public Health when they were made aware of this positive case. The physician did not show signs or symptoms when he worked with patients at Bridgeport Hospital and the risk to staff and patients remains low," he continued.

“We have been preparing for weeks for COVID-19 to come to Connecticut and we should expect more cases in the coming days as this virus reaches every corner of the globe," the governor added. "We continue to encourage everyone to take simple but important precautions, such as washing your hands frequently, avoid shaking hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and staying home when you are sick.”

Other Hospitals Affected

About 14 hours earlier on Friday, March 6, Lamont highlighted the potential exposure of a number of patients and staff at Danbury and Norwalk Hospitals from an employee who is a New York State resident and a confirmed case of coronavirus disease (COVID-19):

“This afternoon we learned that patients and staff at both Danbury and Norwalk Hospitals may have been exposed to COVID-19 coronavirus disease as a result of a hospital employee who lives in Westchester County, New York and has tested positive for the virus. This individual was exposed to the virus while in their home community of Westchester County by another individual who has tested positive, and then the individual worked shifts at both hospitals. The hospital employee is currently at their home, where they are in isolation and recovering.

“We have been expecting exposure of this virus in Connecticut for several weeks, so its presence should not surprise anybody. This is no cause for panic or anxiety as our public health officials and medical experts have been making every effort to put every precaution possible in place.

“As of this evening, the Connecticut Department of Public Health State Laboratory has tested 42 patients and all of them have returned negative results for the virus. Another 11 cases are in the queue to be tested. There still are no confirmed cases among Connecticut residents.

“People in our state should continue adhering to the basic but important steps we’ve been emphasizing for weeks to protect themselves, like washing your hands frequently, avoid shaking hands, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home when you are sick.

“I am confident in Connecticut’s healthcare system and medical professionals. We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide additional information to the residents of our state as it becomes available.”

Federal Delegation Reacts

Shortly after the governor's statement, 5th District Congresswoman Jahana Hayes said “As the Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner has said in recent weeks, COVID-19 hitting Connecticut was not a matter of if, but when. Tonight, we have seen the broad reach of this virus within Connecticut’s borders – impacting a frontline health care worker. This development highlights the imperative for increased preparedness in our state,” said Congresswoman Hayes.

“I urge the Centers for Disease Control to heed the calls of the Governor, DPH Commissioner, and the entire Connecticut Congressional delegation by providing the testing kits necessary to combat the rapid spread of this disease," the congresswoman said.

"Congress took a first step in providing urgently needed financial assistance this week to help Connecticut respond to this crisis. I will continue to fight for robust federal assistance and resources to help state and local efforts to fight this deadly disease. I urge my constituents to remain alert and continue to follow CDC and DPH guidelines to protect themselves and their families from the spread of this serious virus,” Rep Hayes said.

“I will continue to monitor the situation and keep all effected in my prayers.”

Hayes joined the Connecticut Congressional Delegation today in sending a letter to Dr. Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to express concern about the lack of COVID-19 diagnostic testing kits provided to Connecticut.

This week, Congress and the President approved a bipartisan $8.3 billion emergency supplemental appropriations package, providing billions in funds that can be used to improve testing capabilities at the state level, support diagnostic test development, and help Community Health Centers on the front lines of the public health crisis. The emergency supplemental provides the following to combat the coronavirus epidemic:

It includes:

*More than $3 billion for research and development of vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics;

*$2.2 billion in public health funding for prevention, preparedness, and response, $950 million of which is to support state & local health agencies;

*Nearly $1 billion for procurement of pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, to support healthcare preparedness and Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity;

*$61 million to facilitate the development and review of medical countermeasures, devices, therapies, and vaccines, and to help mitigate potential supply chain interruptions;

*$1.25 billion to address the coronavirus abroad to help keep Americans safe here at home;

*Allows for an estimated $7 billion in low-interest loans to affected small businesses, to help cushion the economic blow of this public health emergency and;

*Provides $300 million so the government can purchase vaccines at a fair and reasonable price.

Last week, Congresswoman Hayes joined 34 of her Freshman colleagues in calling on House and Senate leadership to request comprehensive supplemental funding to address COVID-19.

Congresswoman Hayes also joined crucial legislation with Congresswoman DeLauro that would guarantee all workers receive an additional 14 paid sick days in the event of a declared Public Health Emergency.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn) added: “This unfortunate news highlights the need for heightened preparedness – swift and strategic action to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further."

Sen Blumenthal said the CDC should immediately provide Connecticut with tests already promised now more necessary than ever.

"Other federal support should follow, such as reimbursement for local and state expenses, assistance for local health officials and first responders, and aid for small businesses," he said. "My thoughts are with the patient and prayers for a swift and complete recovery.”

More Testing Kits

On Friday, members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation sent a letter to Dr Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to express concern about the lack of COVID-19 diagnostic testing kits provided to Connecticut. While Connecticut has not experienced a confirmed case of COVID-19, cases in neighboring states continue to be reported.

On Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont also requested that the CDC provide additional testing kits for Connecticut.

“At this time, our state – home to 3.5 million people – only has sufficient diagnostic kits to test just over 500 individuals, and as the state moves to expand its capacity to test specimens beyond the state laboratory in Rocky Hill, Connecticut to private sector laboratories and the state’s hospitals, it is critical that access to diagnostic testing kits becomes a reality,” members of the Connecticut delegation wrote.

The letter was signed by Rep Hayes and Sen Blumenthal , US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn), U.S. Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), and Jim Himes (CT-4).

Locally, the first in the anticipated series of video messages, produced in cooperation with The Newtown Bee, was conceived as a way for local officials to relate timely information to Newtown residents. In the initial video, recorded in Rosenthal's office at the Municipal Center, he reassures residents that the local health district is in constant contact with regional, state and federal health agencies.

Ms Culbert also relates information specifically aimed at Newtown residents who may be returning from travel to areas where the coronavirus outbreak is widespread. She also provides a few simple reminders to help prevent the spread of the virus, when or if it is identified locally.

View the video on the Bee's Facebook Page.