By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
The number of COVID-19 positive patients being treated at Greenwich Hospital has dropped from 99 on Thursday to 84 as of Friday afternoon, according to the latest coronavirus update from the Office of the First Selectman.
“[The decrease] is good,” said First Selectman Fred Camillo on Friday. “You want to see that rather than the opposite. Like anything else, you don’t want to read too much into that. You take it and you’re grateful for it, but you don’t take your foot off the pedal. We’re still nowhere near where we need to be. We’re doing a great job but this thing takes time, and it has to run its course. These are encouraging signs.”
So far, 317 patients have been discharged from the Hospital and continue their recuperation at home. There have been 4,273 people tested at the Hospital outpatient test site with 1,542 testing positive. All of these numbers reflect patients who live in Greenwich as well as from other municipalities in Connecticut and Westchester County.
As of Friday, there are 613 Greenwich residents who have tested positive for the virus, up from 608 reported on Thursday.
To date, 27 Greenwich residents have died as a result of COVID-19.
“Any loss of life is truly regrettable and my heartfelt condolences go out to each of the families of our 27 residents who have died from this disease,” Camillo added. “This loss of life illustrates just how vulnerable we all are and how important it is to continue with physical and social distancing, wearing face masks, gloves and to frequently wash our hands. We cannot be too careful when it comes to trying to stem the spread of this virus. It doesn’t discriminate who it attacks or where it goes.”
Update on Griffith E. Harris Golf Course
After an intensive review of operations with Parks and Recreation Director Joe Siciliano, Camillo has announced that there will be a conditional reopening of the Griffith E. Harris Golf Course on Monday, May 4.
The course will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily. Tee time reservations will only be available online – there will not be any walk-ups allowed. The online reservation system will be available beginning April 30. Only credit/debit card payments will be accepted. Golf cart rentals and the driving range will be available, but there will be restrictions — more details will be released in the coming days.
It is mandatory that all persons arriving at the golf course wear a face mask at all times. Detailed operating regulations will be posted on the golf course website by noon Tuesday, April 28. The Griff website can be found here: https://www.thegriffgolf.org/
Previous notification on limited park use
On Thursday, Camillo announced that effective Monday, April 27, Binney, Bruce and Byram parks will be reopened “in a measured way”, with just walking paths accessible to residents. The fields, playgrounds, parking lots and restrooms at those facilities will not be open. The beach at Byram Park will remain closed. New signage detailing park use will be installed.
Cos Cob Park will also be open to walkers from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, beginning Monday, May 4. There will be park monitors on site to allow for controlled access and to ensure walkers adhere to social distancing protocols. Walkers will be instructed to walk in one direction, according to signs and arrows. The playing field, playgrounds and restrooms will remain closed. Visitors will be able to park at the Cos Cob train station.
Starting April 30, there will be limited access – two days per week – to Town marinas for boat owners whose vessels are in winter storage. Specific details on which days and the hours of access will be communicated via email to those boat owners. Camillo said the town is also working on coming up with more plans for town marinas, which will be released when they’re final.
Memorial Day Parade in doubt
The Sound Beach Volunteer Memorial Day Parade is in doubt, Camillo said on Friday.
“It doesn’t look good. I have been in conctact with some of the volunteers at Sound Beach. They would still like to have some type of ceremony honoring the day’s purpose, not just the parade. So we’re going to be going over some way to do that even if there is no parade,” he said.
Census 2020 Update
Camillo had a conference call with Connecticut Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz and six other First Selectmen to talk about how to promote the census. In the coming days, Camillo is going to work with U.S. Rep. Jim Himes on how to spread the word in Greenwich.
As a reminder, people who haven’t already done so, may fill out the 2020 Census online at www.my2020census.gov. The questionnaire only takes about ten minutes, and all answers are strictly confidential. Your information will not be shared with any other agencies or organizations. The Town’s self-response rate is currently 51.4% (compared to the state average of 51.2%), so there is still plenty of work to do! Census data is used to determine state and federal representation, as well as allocation of critical grant funding. Please use this time of social distancing and working from home to do your part for the Town and fill out the 2020 Census. If you’ve already completed the Census, encourage your friends and family to stand up and be counted too!
Other resources for residents and businesses and other helpful tips
For residents with questions about COVID-19, please call the Greenwich HealthDepartment’s phone lines: 203-622 -7865; 203-622-7703; 203-622-7614; 203-622- 7842 and 203-622-7836.
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 AlertNotification System at greenwichct.bbcportal.com/Entry
If you are concerned about an activity or a group not following COVID-19 protocols, please call the Greenwich Police Department’s non-emergency phone number: 203-622- 8004.
Don’t have a face mask? 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.
