The statement from Glenn Lungarini, the organization’s executive director, is embedded in the YouTube video above.
The announcement is the latest in a series of cancelations because of the virus, which has infected two Connecticut residents as of 2 p.m. Tuesday. Gov. Ned Lamont was scheduled to update the public at 3 p.m.
New Haven postponed its St. Patrick’s Day Parade Monday. On Tuesday the City of Hartford postponed its parade, too. Sacred Heart University and New Haven University switched Monday to online classes.
The measures come as the public health sector prepares for more coronavirus cases. The goal of canceling events is to limit potential exposures so that hospitals can concentrate on seriously ill patients in the coming weeks, should it happen. Some 80 to 85 percent of people who test positive recover, state health officials said, but public health officials don’t want a “run” on hospitals.
The elderly with pre-existing medical conditions are most susceptible to COVID-19, a respiratory illness.
A description from Yale New Haven Health follows:
“Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that are common in both humans and animals that usually cause mild-to-moderate respiratory illnesses. The source of COVID-19 is suspected to be animals in an open air market and is possibly a previously unrecognized bat coronavirus. It appears to cause a more severe illness progressing to pneumonia.”
Outside Connecticut, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo Tuesday announced a 1‑square mile “containment zone“ around the City of New Rochelle, a community in southern Westchester County. As of Tuesday afternoon the county had 108 confirmed COVID-19 cases, which represents the vast majority of cases in the state.
The National Guard is being sent to New Rochelle to help clean and deliver food, according to news reports. The containment zone, the New York governor said, isn’t a reference to containing residents — it refers to public buildings such as schools and houses of worship, which are expected to be shut down for the next two weeks.
Locally, Ansonia Public Schools used Facebook Tuesday to tell people the high school’s parent painting night, scheduled for March 18, was canceled due to health concerns. The school district also issued the following statement about the state basketball tournament, shortly after the CIAC announced all tournaments were canceled:
Due to continuing concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) CIAC has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of its winter championship tournaments.
The decision was made in light of discussions with numerous agencies and considering the circumstances of our member schools, our championship venues, and weighing the health and safety of our student-athletes, parents, and fans given the uncertainty that surrounds the spread of this virus.
Derby Public Schools are keeping parents informed through the school district’s website.
On Monday, Seymour Public Schools used Facebook to monitor the school district’s website for any virus-related information.
Shelton Public Schools Superintendent Beth Smith used Facebook Tuesday to update parents about how the school is protecting students and staff in the school system.
The complete statement follows:
The Health Emergency Planning Committee is in contact with each other multiple times per day via emails and phone calls. The committee is composed of Central Office and building level administration, school nurses, SPSS security director, SPSS technology director, SPSS director of maintenance, the district’s medical advisor, and a representative from Shelton Emergency Management and Shelton EMS.
In addition, yesterday evening, I participated in a conference call with the Governor and state emergency preparedness team and today I spoke with the Naugatuck Valley Health Director.
As you know the conditions are rapidly changing in the state. My goal is to keep you updated and well informed, which will hopefully dispel any rumors. I want to reiterate that no one in Shelton has had a positive case of COVID-19 and at the present time, we have made no decision to close Shelton Public Schools for two weeks.
Important Updates:
Each school is holding an assembly/advisory this week to address general information about COVID-19, the coronavirus, general hygiene and self-care.
- Our custodial staff continues to clean our schools daily with quaternary disinfectant cleaners.
- The bus company has informed us that the bus drivers regularly use a cleaning product to wipe down surfaces touched regularly by students (i.e. railings, tops of seats, etc.).
- Our Whitson’s employees are following all state and local health department requirements in food preparation and equipment and surface cleaning, including cafeteria tables.
- Our nurses continue to track student absences.
We are assessing the district’s capacity for e‑learning, in case we need to close schools for a period of time. This included surveying staff and parents about internet and computer access in the home.
We are evaluating professional learning, school events and field trips on a case-by-case basis. When final decisions are made, they will be communicated. CIAC has made the decision to cancel all remaining tournament games.
Important Parent Reminders:
- Keep your children home if they are sick. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
- Remind your children about appropriate hand washing techniques and about covering during sneezes and coughs
- Check the Center for Disease Control and Prevention frequently for updates (www.cdc.gov)
- We remain committed to maintaining a safe environment for our students and staff.
- As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health, safety, and security threats.
