New Canaan Coronavirus Update: 2 More Deaths, Number Now At 10

NEW CANAAN, CT — The number of coronavirus-related deaths in New Canaan rose by two over the weekend, bringing the total to 10, announced Mike Handler, the town's director of Emergency Management.

New Canaan had 91 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) as of Monday, though Handler said the state has been "slow to report positive test results and we expect that at some point we will geta large grouping of results covering several days’ worth of testing."

Handler said in a statement, "While we are working around the clock to improve our local testing capabilities, I would like to provide some context to the limited data that we do have. Of the [91] confirmed positive COVID-19 cases in New Canaan, there are clusters of infection at both Waveny LifeCare Networks and Silver Hill Hospital."

As of Sunday, 19 positive cases were of residents and staff at Waveny, and six positive cases were reported among staff and patients at Silver Hill, according to Handler.

"Of the ten fatalities, nine involved individuals over the age of 80, the remaining one was between the ages of 60 and 69. Six of our deaths involve residents at Waveny. The Office of Emergency
Management, the Health Department and EMS continue to work with our partners at Waveny and Silver Hill to ensure they have the proper equipment, training and procedures in place."

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Statewide, there were 6,906 confirmed coronavirus cases in Connecticut as of Monday, and 206 people have died from the virus, according to state health officials. Nearly half of the deaths, 101, were in Fairfield County.

"There are several models that attempt to forecast when we will reach the peak of this pandemic," Handler said. "Most measure healthcare demand based on three factors: hospital beds, intensive care unit beds and invasive ventilators. These models show our peak occurring as early as April 21st and as late as the first week of May. The variability is largely due to the lack of reliable data which makes it hard to rely heavily on the forecasts. What I do know with confidence is that the next few weeks are going to be really demanding on all of us. You are up to the challenge, and the men and women of our Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services are more than up to the
challenge."

Handler urged residents to stay home as much as possible.

"The safest place remains to be at home, period. This is not the time to soften our resolve. There is a light at the end of the tunnel, but we all have to do our part," he said.