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 5:15 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2020:
- Since yesterday, there are 20 new positive cases in Norwalk, bringing the total positive reported cases in Norwalk to 911. There was also one new death reported. Now, a total of 47 residents have died from coronavirus. In Fairfield County, the number of new positive cases went from 7,146 to 7,363.
- Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City’s hauler facility was unable to accept Yard Waste material until mid-April. That delayed the start of Yard Waste Collection by two weeks. The Spring Waste Collection will now begin this Monday. During the week of April 20, collections will be for residents with Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday City garbage collection. All yard waste must be curbside by 6 a.m. on Monday, April 20, as the truck only passes by once. During the week of April 27, collections will be for residents with Thursday and Friday City garbage collection.
- Yesterday, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7BB, which requires cloth face coverings or higher level of protection to be worn in public wherever close contact is unavoidable effective at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 20, 2020. The order states that any person in a public place in Connecticut who is unable to or does not maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering. More details can be found here.
- Starting Monday, April 20, Norwalk Public Schools is opening a new food distribution site. The new site at Columbus School, 46 Concord Street, will be open weekdays from noon – 2 p.m. Any family with children can pick up food. They do not need to be enrolled at NPS.
“I am saddened to learn of the death of another resident. I offer my heartfelt condolences to their family, friends, and loved ones during these difficult times. I wish to remind the public the number of reported positive cases does not tell the full story, as there are residents who are presumed positive and resting at home under their doctor’s orders without actually taking a COVID-19 test. With a new rapid testing site opening, I am hopeful access to testing will be expanded for residents. This is a new virus, and the long-term effects are still being studied, and it can impact any of us in different ways,” Mayor Rilling said. “We are continuing to battle this pandemic together. I am encouraged that we are finding new routines, as difficult as that may be, while adhering to physical distancing guidelines. I appreciate the public’s continued patience and cooperation. This is a team effort across Norwalk, the state, and country. We all must keep doing our best to slow this virus down.”
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.
