First Selectman Dan Rosenthal announced early Sunday, March 22, that Newtown's first positive COVID-19 case was among the 29 new cases reported across the state late Saturday by Governor Ned Lamont.

The individual is a female between the ages of 25 and 49 who is currently isolated and recovering at home, Rosenthal and Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert told The Newtown Bee.

“Positive cases of COVID-19 in Newtown have been expected as community transmission of the virus has been occurring in the area,” Culbert said. "The Newtown Health District will work with the individual to ensure all close contacts of this person are notified and appropriate CDC guidance is followed to limit any potential for exposure.

The Town of Newtown’s main objective is to continue to keep residents safe and slow the spread of the virus, Rosenthal said.

“The single best way to slow the spread is to practice social distancing, and the town in recommending that all individuals both adults and children, stay home and not interact with individuals outside of the household," said Rosenthal. "Social distancing is crucial in helping to reduce the spread of the virus and limit the number of people who are infected."

Rosenthal also took issue with "reckless" residents and visitors continuing to gather in groups as part of a related CODE RED message Sunday.

"We expect there will be more cases in town. How many more really depends on us. This virus isn’t about you or me, it’s about our collective efforts to protect the vulnerable," he said. "How do we do it? It’s not complicated; wash your hands regularly and stay away from one another.

"People are getting outside, which is great, but far too many people are getting together in large groups to do it. This is unacceptable and frankly, reckless," Rosenthal said. "In addition, it makes it more likely that future orders from the federal and state governments become more extreme."

Rosenthal added that he will not be making calls for each case in town, and asked residents to "Please say a prayer for the sick and for our medical professionals and first responders.

"They have never given up on us and never will," the first selectman said. "Let’s also commit ourselves to doing the right thing and show the world that Newtown comes together, while staying apart."

3,100 Tests Done Statewide

Just before 8 pm Saturday, Lamont confirmed 29 more Connecticut residents tested positive, bringing the statewide total to 223, with 140 of those cases being in Fairfield County.

More than 3,100 tests have been conducted in the state to date. Approximately 43 people are hospitalized and there have been five deaths. As of Saturday evening, one case each in New London and Windham Counties had been reported.

As of Sunday morning there were three positive cases reported in Brookfield, two in Southbury, and one in Oxford.

There are no reported cases yet in Redding, Monroe, Bethel, Bridgewater, and Roxbury.

Sadly, since Friday, the governor said a fifth Connecticut resident had died from complications due to COVID-19. The person is a man in his 80s who was a resident of a nursing home in Stafford Springs.

He had been receiving treatment at Johnson Memorial Hospital.

Latest Executive Order

Earlier Saturday Lamont signed his tenth executive order pursuant to his emergency declaration, taking further actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut. This order provides broad relief for municipalities regarding procedures, notice requirements, and deadlines for various proceedings and decisions.

The procedural relief for municipalities:

o Extends additional budget adoption deadlines;

o Suspends the in-person budget adoption requirement for municipalities;

o Suspends the in-person budget adoption requirement for boards of education;

o Extends municipal deadlines and waiver of penalties related to municipal planning, assessment, and taxation;

o Suspends the in-person filing requirements related to municipal planning, assessment, and taxation;

o Suspends deadlines and makes modification to public hearing and appeals requirements for assessment and taxation;

o Extends new reporting requirements on properties; and

o Suspends, modifies, and clarifies certain municipal procedural requirements and time limitations regarding notice, commencement, and holding of public hearings, decisions, and appeals, including land use and other municipal boards.

In addition, the latest Executive Order enacts several necessary changes related to Department of Social Services (DSS) Medicare Part D and HUSKY B costs, student privacy, visitation in Department of Children and Families facilities, pharmacy regulations, and corporate meetings.

Modifications to DSS benefits include:

o Suspension of requirements that public assistance eligibility reinvestigations be conducted at least every 12 or 24 months;

o Suspension of copayments for full benefit dually eligible Medicare Part D beneficiaries;

o Suspension of copayments for HUSKY B clients; and

o Suspension of limitations on refills of non-maintenance medications for HUSKY beneficiaries

In part, the order also provides modifications to Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) regulations regarding pharmacies; provides pharmacists the ability to refill non-controlled substance prescriptions for up to 30 days in the event they are unable to contact the prescribing practitioner; and provides the commissioner of DCP with the authority to waive pharmacy operation regulations.

Lamont also reported:

*The state has received responses from more than 100 entities since launching its request for Personal Protective Equipment yesterday.

*The Department of Economic and Community Development is preparing guidance to Connecticut businesses for implementation of the governor’s executive order issued yesterday directing the statewide closure of all non-essential, in-person business functions. It plans to release the guidance prior to the order going into effect.

Practice Prevention

Here in Newtown, Rosenthal and Culbert are continuing to urge everyone to employ everyday preventative actions to help protect themselves, these include:

• Staying home if sick except to get medical care;

• Avoiding close contact with people who are sick;

• Washing hands with soap and water frequently and for at least 20 seconds;

• Covering coughs or sneezes with a tissue, then throwing the tissue in the trash and washing hands after;

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth; and

• Cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched objects and surfaces.

COVID-19 is a Novel Coronavirus which first emerged in China in December 2019. Symptoms of the virus include fever, cough, and shortness of breath.

Newtown residents and visitors seeking local municipal information can CLICK HERE

The latest State COVID-19 information is available HERE

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