Second case of coronavirus confirmed in Connecticut

Mar. 10--BRISTOL -- The state Department of Public Health confirmed the state's second case of coronavirus Monday afternoon even as the state ramps up efforts to stop the spread of the virus.

Those efforts now include a DPH directive that severely restricts visitors to nursing and convalescent homes, where clusters of COVID-19 have broken out around the globe. The new restrictions permit visitors to enter those facilities only if the person residing there is in hospice or end-of-life care and only if the visitor is wearing personal protective equipment.

Gov. Ned Lamont, joined by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., and health care administrators at Bristol Hospital on Monday, had earlier on Monday outlined new restrictions on out-of-state travel for state employees, limits on large gatherings for state agencies and expansion of testing for the virus.

"We are prepared," said the governor during a news conference Monday morning, following an announcement Sunday that the Connecticut Department of Public Health had confirmed the first positive case of COVID-19 in the state.

According to the governor's office, a person from Wilton who is 40 to 50 years old tested positive for the virus and was being treated at Danbury Hospital. A Danbury Hospital employee and a physician who made rounds at Bridgeport Hospital, both New York residents, also tested positive for the virus. The Wilton resident's exposure was not believed to be connected to those cases.

"We've had, obviously, our first case of COVID-19, and it won't be the last." said Lamont. "We can hope for the best and plan for the worst, and that's what we're doing."

Lamont announced the second case in a 6 p.m. update but did not provide details about the person. So far, the state laboratory has tested 56 individuals, 54 of whom have tested negative.

The governor said the state is trying to lead by example, putting policies into place that restrict travel for state employees on state business and ordering that state agency gatherings or meetings of more than 100 people should be canceled or require special permission. The state is also urging state employees to avoid meetings with out-of-state contractors. The State Capitol and Legislative Office Building will be closed to all events on Thursday and Friday.

Schools will be able to decide their own closures and cancellations, as of now, but the state has recommended that college students avoid going home for spring break if they are from out-of-state. Students should be aware that they may be quarantined for two weeks upon return if they do travel out the state, Lamont said.

The state has also been following guidelines from the Department of Public Health restricting visitors at nursing homes and long-term health facilities and is urging employees who are elderly or have respiratory issues to work from home if possible.

The governor also said that anyone returning to the state from China, Iran, Italy, Japan or South Korea should self-quarantine for 14 days.

"Connecticut has one of the best hospital systems in the world, but nobody can be totally prepared for COVID-19, a virus that's changing every day," said Lamont. "But we're working together on a collaborative basis to do everything that we can."

The governor's office said that, as of now, there are no plans to declare a state of emergency, and forced closures will be "a last resort."

The state's plan of action, as of Monday, was to get ahead of an outbreak and avoid an emergency.

"We're trying to make this seamless and give a coordinated message in terms of what our priorities are," said Lamont. That message, he said, is to take precaution.

"Be careful, be careful, use obvious prudence, and we're going to get through this in the near term together as a state," said Lamont.

Kurt A. Barwis, president and CEO of Bristol Health, said that hospitals are working closely with local, state and federal agencies to prepare for a potential outbreak of the virus.

"It's a time of challenges for everyone, obviously," said Barwis, "with the coronavirus at our doorsteps."

The state on Monday obtained an additional test kit for the virus that will allow them to test another 600 people.

The governor urged people who they think may have the virus to only come in for testing if they are ordered to do so by a doctor after receiving advice over the phone and to make hospitals aware if they are going to come in for testing so that they can be properly prepared.

Administrators from Bristol Hospital said that hospital staff have been meeting daily to come up with plans to care for patients with the virus, protect other patients and staff in the hospital and prepare for a potential surge of patients. The hospital has set up mobile units where people can be tested without ever entering the hospital and have been training staff on how to properly use protective equipment.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal at the news conference criticized the White House's response to the crisis by saying that the country needs a "calm, vigilant and vigorous action and response to this crisis" and that "deception and denial are not a strategy."

Blumenthal said he was glad the state obtained more testing kits but said "it is too little and too late, inexcusably late." The senator said more testing kits were promised by Vice President Mike Pence last week.

An $8.3 billion emergency spending bill for coronavirus signed by President Trump last week will help compensate local hospitals and municipalities for spending related to the virus, Blumenthal said, but a need for more financial assistance should be anticipated.

"We are facing a threatened economic whirlwind," said Blumenthal. "We need to aid businesses, especially small businesses, as they face possible sick leave on the part of their employees."

Other than supporting the treatment and testing for coronavirus, Blumenthal said he will be working in Washington to obtain more financial support for businesses that suffer from lost business or sick employees. Blumenthal urged anyone who is feeling sick not to go to work, while recognizing the financial hardship some families may face if they decide to self-quarantine.

"If you're sick, stay away from work," said Blumenthal. "If you're an employer with a sick worker, encourage them to stay away from work. All they can do is infect others and cause even more workers to be ill."

The senator said he'll be urging legislators in Washington to assemble a team to plan for an economic response to the virus outbreak, which he said will likely include a federal stimulus plan with aid to small businesses.

"We're in the calm before the economic storm that's threatening, and it will be potentially as devastating as the health crisis," said Blumenthal.

Blumenthal also said that he will be reaching out to major airlines to encourage them to remind people that travel costs will be refunded to those who choose to cancel travel plans due to the virus, and Lamont reminded residents that, under most major insurance companies, copays and deductibles are being waived for coronavirus testing.

"You can't prepare for what you don't know, but we're as prepared as we can be," said Lamont.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Anyone with general questions not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but have general questions. The 2-1-1 hotline has taken 252 calls between Friday and Monday.

[email protected]

Staff Writer Greg Smith contributed to this report

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