Bachelor no. 1 has serious issues.
HARTFORD — In advance of the Labor Day three-day weekend, the State Department of Health issued an alert Friday warning that they’re seeing COVID-10 positive clusters involving college students.
Health officials are urging the general public to wear masks, practice social distancing, and to be careful this weekend at any gatherings.
The concern is that the young people and the general public attending Labor Day parties who don’t follow the prevention rules could spread the virus around the state again, putting vulnerable populations into danger.
In addition, students are returning to schools across the state, so the last thing Connecticut needs now is a Labor Day fueled COVID uptick.
“We have a beautiful weekend coming up. But as we celebrate the holiday, DPH is reminding CT residents that small gatherings of family and friends are a major source of infection,” said DPH Acting Commissioner Deidre Gifford in a prepared statement. “In the past several weeks in Connecticut, we are seeing small gatherings of friends and family leading to COVID-19 infection. If you are getting together with anyone who doesn’t live with you, please: wear your mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer. In addition, our partners in local health departments will be monitoring restaurants and other public spaces to be sure our reopening rules are adhered to.”
The health department’s Friday statement mentions recent positive cases at Sacred Heart University and UConn.
According to the press release,10 COVID-19 cases have occurred among Sacred Heart University students living off campus, and more test results are pending. Sacred Heart has approximately 3,000 students living on campus and 2,500 who live off campus in the surrounding communities of Bridgeport, Fairfield and Trumbull.
“The university has taken the precaution of shutting down campus access for all students today and has notified the campus community, parents and area residents of the situation. Students who test positive are being isolated,” according to the state DPH.
“At the University of Connecticut Storrs campus, UConn has been issuing daily updates for the public and campus community about COVID-19 cases on and off campus. Latest published numbers show a total of 89 cumulative positive cases among residential students since they started to arrive for the fall semester.”
“Currently, 67 positive/symptomatic COVID-19 cases are in isolation beds on campus, and 27 cases among commuter students are isolating off campus.”
In a press conference Friday evening, President Donald Trump also asked people to use common sense this weekend by socially distancing, wearing masks, and following COVID precautions. He said the country is poised to “turn a corner” on the virus.
Click here for a UConn COVID-19 dashboard.
Click here for a Yale University COVID-19 dashboard.
Click here for a Thursday COVID-19 update from the Naugatuck Valley Health District.
