Five Private Greenwich Golf Courses Still Open Despite First Selectman’s Pleas

Monday would have been a great day to get out the golf clubs in Greenwich.

But the COVID-19 virus has kept many Greenwich golf bags in storage this spring.

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo, who ordered the town’s golf course, “The Griff” to close on March 22, noted private courses were not required to close.

He said had a conference call with the heads of the eight private golf courses in town, of which only Innis Arden had been closed, and urged them all to close.

Across the country there are instances popping up on social media of golfers not adhering to social distancing guidelines, and officials are making the decision to shut courses down.

For example, in Naugatuck, Mayor Pete Hess shut down Hop Brook Golf Course after a video showed crowds ignoring social-distancing guidelines.

After the call with private golf courses, Camillo said Round Hill Golf Club and Greenwich Country Club quickly made the decision to close, for a total of three out of eight private courses.

“I salute them, their members and their boards for doing the right thing,” Camillo said. “They had taken great precautions already, but now is not the time to take the foot off the pedal in our effort to slow this virus down.”

Also, on his daily call with reporters Wednesday, Camillo said three Greenwich residents had died from COVID-19.

The three included an 87-year-old man, a 96-year-old man, and a 101-year-old woman, for a total of 7 patients according to the medical examiner’s office. Not all of the 7 were Greenwich residents.

“It’s a terrible way to go,” Camillo said. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the families of those three residents.”

Camillo said it was not just elderly people dying.

“We’re getting reports of children passing. We’re getting reports of teenagers passing, people in their 20s and 30s passing,” he said. “It’s dangerous when people downplay it, and pass around petitions to open things up when we have Dr. Fauci telling us now is not the time to take our foot of the pedal.”

In Hartford a baby less than seven weeks old became the first infant to succumb to COVID-19.

Governor Lamont on Wednesday said the baby was taken to the hospital late last week but could not be revived.

On Tuesday officials received results indicating the baby had COVID-19.

“This is absolutely heartbreaking,” Lamont Tweeted. “We believe this is one of the youngest lives lost anywhere due to complications relating to COVID-19.”

“We’re going to see more death, but just how many depends on us.

Another day that we follow the protocol is another day we’re closer to the other side of this.”

Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo

To date 150 Greenwich residents had tested positive for COVID-19. That is up from 137 reported on Tuesday, March 31, a total of 95 COVID-19 positive patients in Greenwich Hospital being treated in several different units.

To date 1,819 total outpatient swabs have been taken at the Greenwich Hospital testing site. Of those, 448 have tested positive.

Statewide, Camillo said there was good news in that more than 50 credit unions and banks had agreed to provide 90-day grace periods for mortgage payments and waiving penalties and fees on late mortgage payments or early withdrawals from CDs.

Among the participating financial institutions are Webster Bank, American Eagle Financial Credit Union, Liberty Bank, Charter Oak Federal Credit Union, Bank of America, Nutmeg State Financial Credit Union, and Peoples United Bank.

The Department of Banking will maintain an updated list of participating institutions on its website.

“I know many Greenwich residents are experiencing financial hardships because of layoffs, furloughs and business shutdowns,” Camillo said adding that he encouraged Town residents to contact their lending institution to determine whether they are eligible to receive this much-needed assistance.”

Camillo said anyone experiencing mild symptoms who are not in a high risk group should contact their personal physician rather than calling 911.

“If you have mild symptoms, do not go to the emergency room before contacting your doctor for direction,” he said. “If you have any serious symptoms, please do not hesitate to call 911.”

The Department of Health has five phone lines specifically dedicated to the public for questions and answers about COVID-19: ( 203) 622 -7865,  (203) 622-7703; (203) 622- 7614, (203) 622-7842 and (203) 622-7836.

Members of the public are encouraged to sign-up for the Town’s Emergency Alert
Notification System at greenwichct.bbcportal.com/Entry.

Residents experiencing challenges with food, finances, and living arrangements, please call the Department of Human Services at 203-622-3800.