As deaths mounted and positive COVID-19 cases surged among Newtown's congregate facilities, the community saw thousands of residents out and about, whether on boats along the Housatonic shoreline, on bikes of varying kinds, on foot around the neighborhood, or at various trails and open spaces, or just tooling around in - or on - their vehicles with the windows down.

It was as if the state's May 20 plan to begin phased reopening had already happened. But much like Governor Ned Lamont has predicated statewide reopening plans hinge on abilities and willingness to maintain COVID-19 safe practices, so, too, did First Selectman Dan Rosenthal in his latest CODE Red phone message Friday, May 15.

"As I am sure you are aware, next Wednesday begins Phase 1 of the reopening of our town and state," the first selectman said, pledging to lead town staff in efforts to "bounce back stronger than ever."

Rosenthal said this would include all retail, restaurants offering outdoor dining, offices, hair salons and barber shops, among others.

"I am pleased that we are in this position and appreciate the efforts of our town staff as they have been working diligently as we enter this next phase," he said. "It is important to consider that our local businesses are working to adjust to a new operating environment so we need to be patient as they come up to speed."

In addition, he said Newtown will be opening Dickinson and Treadwell Parks next Wednesday for certain activities.

"At this point, they will not be open for group sports and playground use and keeping them open will be dependent on all of us continuing to follow distancing guidelines and not congregating," Rosenthal said.

"None of this means that we have reached a point where coronavirus is no longer a concern," he added. "Through our collective efforts we have reached a point where our healthcare system is in a better place and we need to keep it that way.

"The reopening plan still includes wearing face coverings when distance can’t be maintained, not getting together in groups of more than five and limiting access to your home to only those that live in it," Rosenthal continued. "While many of us will get to enjoy more of what our town has to offer, let’s continue to look after our vulnerable residents as many will likely be continuing to isolate.

"I am happy that more of our residents are going to be able to get back to work and I am sorry for the financial burden this has placed on many of you," he concluded. "Most of all, I am sorry for those that have lost loved ones."

State, Local Parks Reopening

The governor said Friday Connecticut state parks that feature beaches along the state’s shoreline will be open Friday, May 22, though with capacity limitations. Visitors are advised to follow social distancing guidelines.

Lamont, along with the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, announced a multi-state agreement to open beaches in their respective states, effective May 22. Connecticut’s shoreline state park beaches have remained open with capacity restrictions, which will remain in place.

“We want to make sure they are enjoyed up and down the east coast in the safest possible way, especially as the summer season begins," Governor Lamont said. "Working together as states to make sure they can be enjoyed responsibly makes sense.”

Residents are encouraged to select locations closest to home, and consider visiting early in the morning before crowds gather. At least six feet of social distancing must be maintained, and groups over five are prohibited.

Residents are asked to recreate with members of their immediate household and not meet up with others. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will reduce parking capacity and close beaches for the day if social distancing cannot be maintained, and will make adjustments to operations and consider longer-term closures if the situation warrants.

Updates on closures are posted on the Connecticut State Parks’ Twitter account, @CTStateParks.

Connecticut municipalities continue to make decisions regarding the local beaches and swimming areas they oversee.

This week's planned reopening of Treadwell and Dickinson Parks is on schedule. See the related article at newtownbee.com. First Selectman Dan Rosenthal reiterated that message in The Newtown Bee's latest COVID-19 video outreach message, as well as in his May 15 CODE Red call.

View the video below:

While the parks proper at Treadwell and Dickinson are open, playgrounds will remain fenced off and closed. Basketball courts will be locked, and the Dickinson Skate Park and Newtown Park & Bark Dog Park on Old Farm Road will remain closed, officials said.

Tennis and pickleball nets will be put up with signs that specify singles matches and other guidelines for safe play - no switching sides. And there can be no organized sports of any kind on any of the town athletic fields - even those involving groups of neighborhood youth.

DEEP will publish a detailed operations plan early next week that municipalities may adapt to their needs, which will be published online at ct.gov/DEEP/Parks.

Recommendations to promote safe enjoyment of beaches include:

· No public gatherings or groups of over five

· Face coverings worn when in proximity to others

· Set parking capacity limits at each beach based on observations of levels needed to maintain social distancing

· Daily closures when social distancing cannot be maintained

· Use of social media and other communications to inform the public when capacity is restricted so they can plan to go elsewhere

· Spacing of 15 feet or more between beach blankets

Currently, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that there is no current evidence of COVID-19 transmission through recreational freshwater or saltwater swimming.

Latest COVID Stats, Resources

As of May 16, Newtown has registered 174 coronavirus positive cases, and the virus has claimed 21 local lives. Health District Director Donna Culbert said a dozen of the latest positive cases are in congregate locations - assisted living and long-term care locations.

At 8:30 pm the previous evening, a total of 36,703 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents.

Friday also marked the first day since April 3 that statewide number of virus related hospitalizations dropped below 1,000. That day the state reported 994 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory confirmed COVID-19, and there have been 3,339 COVID-19-associated deaths.

The number of deaths in Fairfield County, which have consistently been the most across the state since the beginning of the health emergency are slowing, as the number in Hartford County continues to catch up among a significantly lower count of positive cases.

As of Friday, Fairfield County's 14,140 cases have resulted in 1,125 deaths, while Hartford County's 8,299 cases have caused 1,044 deaths. At the same time, neighboring New Haven County has logged 10,075 and 800 deaths, while rural Windham County has tallied 304 cases and a dozen dead.

Anyone in crisis or facing issues making ends meet or experiencing stress or anxiety can also call the 211 infoline or consult its companion website 211ct.org.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ, other guidance and resources, and a way to ask questions, Newtown residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

The Newtown Bee is continuing to provide and mirror information and messages coming from local and state agencies on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Newtown residents can get more details by visiting Newtown’s own COVID-19 web page, at newtown-ct.gov.

Residents can also review all prior COVID-19 updates and follow the newspaper’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for breaking local news and advisories.

Please check in regularly, share, and follow the newspaper’s hyper local coverage at newtownbee.com through the remainder of this public health emergency.