Norwalk, CT – City officials are working closely with partners at the state and federal levels, as well as partners in Norwalk, to monitor and respond to COVID-19, the 2019 novel Coronavirus. Statewide updates can be found online at ct.gov/coronavirus. Mayor Rilling provided the following Norwalk-area specific updates regarding COVID-19 coronavirus as of 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020:
- Since yesterday, there are 31 new positive cases in Norwalk, bringing the total positive reported cases in Norwalk to 891. In Fairfield County, the number of new positive cases went from 6,816 to 7,146.
- Governor Ned Lamont announced that the State formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that will make free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. This includes the opening of the state’s first rapid testing site at the former Gateway Community College campus at Long Wharf in New Haven. More details can be found here.
- Senator Chris Murphy visited the Food Distribution Site at Tracey Elementary School today to meet with Mayor Rilling and observe the City’s COVID-19 response efforts. The Senator wanted to know what the City may need in order to leverage Federal resources.
- The City and Norwalk Health Department created a survey in effort to match residents who are seeking to help the community with local organizations in need of volunteers. Those interested can complete the Volunteer Survey here or by visiting norwalkct.org/citynews.
- Mayor Rilling will be hosting a Zoom Town Hall on Monday, April 20 at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public can submit questions live to Mayor Rilling by visiting bit.ly/April20TownHall on Monday. The Town Hall will also be broadcast on YouTube and Facebook. No registration is required.
“I remind the public that when positive cases are reported to us we share the news immediately. We should all remember, however, that case data is a lagging indicator of what is happening throughout the community and is dependent on who is getting tested. We know many people are recovering in their homes on their doctor’s orders without ever being tested,” Mayor Rilling said. “The speed at which results will be provided at the New Haven testing site will hopefully slow the spread through the community. However, I caution residents that the site can process up to 750 tests per day, so the positive case numbers are likely to continue to rise in the days and weeks ahead. Stay safe, everyone.”
Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the City’s CodeRED Emergency Alert Notification System at norwalkct.org/codered.
Updates on City services, hours, and community resources will be routinely published at norwalkct.org/citynews. The latest health updates can be found at norwalkct.org/coronavirus.
