Note: This article has been updated to include a clarification from First Selectman Fred Camillo.
During a Friday afternoon conference call with local media, First Selectman Fred Camillo said so far 289 Greenwich residents had tested positive for COVID-19, per the Health Dept, which was up from 251 the previous day.
Greenwich Hospital reported that there were 115 COVID-19 positive patients being treated in multiple hospital units, but that 171 had been discharged to finish recuperating at home.
Per the State of Connecticut data Friday afternoon there were a total of 10,538 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19, up 754 since Thursday.
Also there were a total of 448 deaths in Connecticut, of which 203 were in Fairfield County.
Diane Kelly, COO of Greenwich Hospital, also participated on the call, as she has done twice a week since the outbreak began.
Ms Kelly said although the hospital was continuing to see a steady amount of COVID-19 cases, she was pleased about the 171 discharges, calling that number “promising.”
Asked whether the curve was flattening, Kelly was reluctant to comment.
“What’s exciting is we’re discharging more patients every day. Is that a flattening? I don’t think we have enough data to say it is.”
– Diane Kelly, COO Greenwich Hospital
The First Selectman echoed Kelly’s sentiment.
“We are so far from the other side of this, and even when we’re on the other side, until there is a vaccine, you have to be really careful,” Camillo said. “We’ve seen a country – South Korea – that after 30 days when it was flattening, they relaxed their restrictions and unfortunately they paid a price. The number of cases skyrocketed. We don’t want to make that same mistake.”
“Until we have a vaccine, this will be a way of life for a while. We’re in the second inning of a 9 inning winning game.”
– Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo
On Saturday Camillo clarified his comment, saying, “We may be in the second inning in regard to an overall economic recovery and vaccine available for this virus, but we are farther along in the game in regard to coping and getting to the other side of the curve.”
“Our collective efforts are working and will get us to where we need to be sooner rather than later,” he added.
“We cannot let people give up on the social distancing and the using of masks and gloves,” Kelly said. “We have to keep vigilant.”
Asked if he supported Governor Lamont’s extension of restrictions on non-essential businesses and schools another month, through May 20, amid some push back from former colleagues in the Connecticut legislature, Camillo said he did.
“Everyone has a personal opinion,” he said.
Camillo said it was important to continue physically distancing, washing hands, wearing gloves and masks.
“We’ll get there. Right now though, I agree with the Governor,” Camillo said. “Trends and history have shown that if you let up too early you will pay a price.”
Asked about PPE, Ms Kelly said Greenwich Hospital’s use of personal protective equipment and masks was stable.
“We get reports every day, and know our burn rate,” she said. “We are as expected, and we are in good shape.”
Asked for hard numbers, Kelly said the number of patients in ICU was 19 as of 3:00pm.
She said there were no fatalities Thursday.
She also said the number of deaths remained at 24, though all were not necessarily Greenwich residents.
• To reach the Domestic Abuse Services staff at the YWCA, please call the 24/7 hotline at 203-622-0003.
• Residents, who need assistance with basic needs, including food, can call the Department of Human Services at 203-622-3800.
• Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the Town’s Emergency Alert Notification System here.
• If you are concerned about an activity or a group not following guidelines issued through COVID-19 related Executive Orders and emergency declarations, please call the Greenwich Police Department’s non-emergency phone number at 203-622-8004.
Many people with COVID-19 are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, meaning they can transmit the virus without knowing they have it.
Easy to follow instructions to make cloth facial masks can be found here.
See also:
Cloth Face Coverings Now Recommended by CDC
Masks Mandated for Greenwich Supermarket Workers, “Anyone Handling Food”