By Richard Kaufman
Sentinel Reporter
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise around the country and in Connecticut, and families travel for Thanksgiving gatherings, the town of Greenwich is bracing for impact.
On Wednesday, First Selectman Fred Camillo, in his weekly COVID-19 briefing with Greenwich Hospital President, Diane Kelly, announced that all public playing fields in Greenwich will be closed to recreational activities, team sports and personal use. The closure includes the fields at Cos Cob Park and Greenwich High School.
“We’re bracing for the numbers to spike up even further between now and New Year’s. That is why in Greenwich we are going to close all of the playing fields. Not the hiking trails or the parks, but the playing fields,” Camillo said on Wednesday.
The move comes on the heels of an executive order issued by Gov. Ned Lamont, which is in effect through Jan. 19.
“That could change, we don’t know where we’ll be on the 19th of January. With all the positive news on the horizon with the vaccinations, we still can’t take our eye off the ball here. This is the rough period we were warned about,” Camillo said.
Camillo added that the town is monitoring the situation on a daily basis, and that he’s open to modifying restrictions in order to help slow the spread of the virus.
“My gut is telling me we’re going to have a couple of months of this, and then we’ll probably start to lighten up a little bit as we see the positive effects of a vaccination and who knows what else happens with the virus. We’re in the danger zone right now. We don’t want to [have more closures], but we’re certainly prepared to do anything we can to keep people safe,” he said.
Hospitalization rates and single day death totals are at levels in Connecticut not seen since May. In Greenwich, there are currently just over 100 active cases, with the total number of residents who have tested positive since the pandemic began at 1,475. Greenwich is currently averaging at least 100 new cases per week. Fifty five Greenwich residents have died of the virus since the pandemic started.
At Greenwich Hospital, as of Wednesday afternoon, there are 24 COVID-19 positive patients being treated, with three of those patients in the Intensive Care Unit on ventilators. Last Wednesday, the hospital had 18 patients in house, with zero in the ICU.
“We are at the beginning of the holiday season, and we are already seeing this wave expand pretty quickly. People’s vigilance has to be at the top of mind,” Kelly warned.
To that end, earlier this week, Greenwich Hospital restricted visitors with some exceptions at the hospital and its outpatient facilities.
Among the visitor exceptions that can be made will be for maternity patients; children who are patients; patients for whom end-of-life is imminent; NICU patients; and patients with disabilities, such as altered mental status, physical, intellectual or cognitive disabilities, communication barriers, or behavioral concerns.
The Hospital is urging those with loved ones in the hospital to communicate digitally via Skype, FaceTime or phone.
Kelly said it’s too hard to tell if the spike in cases is attributed to people not following guidelines, or if it’s because schools have been back in session and people are traveling now for Thanksgiving.
“This is a very strong virus. It’s highly contagious. Of course, we want people to do the best they can to diminish it and that’s why everyone’s efforts are so important. You can be infecting someone and not even know you have it,” she said.
With Thanksgiving tomorrow, and Hanukkah and Christmas on the horizon, both Camillo and Kelly urged residents to be extra careful, especially if gatherings, which are not advisable, are taking place.
“We can’t stress enough to people who are having Thanksgiving gatherings, even with family members and family members who have come from different states: please be careful. Hand washing has never been more important right now. If you’re in doubt, wear a mask, and keep your distance,” Camillo said.
The next Greenwich COVID-19 briefing will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 2 p.m.
