⏩ Connecticut Valley Hospital has second coronavirus case.

State-owned medical facility taking ‘significant steps’ to avoid spread

MIDDLETOWN — A second individual at Connecticut Valley Hospital: this time, a psychiatric patient, has contracted coronavirus, according to the state.

The Connecticut Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services confirmed in an email that the individual tested positive. The individual is being cared for in the general psychiatry division of the hospital, and the family has been notified, Commissioner Miriam Delphin-Rittmon said in a release.

“My thoughts are with this patient and their family. I wish them a quick and full recovery. We continue to remain vigilant in maintaining an environment that is healthy and safe. Hospital staff are dedicated to caring for the physical and mental health of our patients and to providing the highest quality of care through this public health crisis,” DelphinRittmon said.

This is the second case reported in as many days at the mental health and substance use disorder treatment facility in Middletown. The state announced Tuesday night a staff member also has COVID-19. That employee reported to work March 10 and called out sick the next day with flu-like symptoms, officials said.

The CVH worker, who had a fever and cough, was tested March 14, and DMHAS was notified of the result March 23, according to

Public Information Officer Diana Shaw. Seven other staff members who were in close contact with the individual have been out of work on self-quarantine, she added.

DMHAS has taken significant steps to protect clients and staff from COVID-19 throughout its system, Delphin-Rittmon said in her news release. These include:

⏩ Adjusting outpatient services while promoting social distancing, including telephone check-ins and closing wellness centers and social clubs

⏩ Restricting visitors from DMHAS facilities

⏩ Conducting health screenings of all individuals who enter DMHAS facilities, including staff and clients

⏩ Approving over 900 employees for telework to promote social distancing and minimize exposure to clients and staff at DMHAS facilities

⏩ Directing staff who are symptomatic, or have been in close contact with individuals suspected of or having COVID-19, to stay home and self-quarantine to prevent infecting clients and other staff

Connecticut Valley Hospital is operated by DMHAS with 209 psychiatric beds and 110 substance use treatment beds at the Middletown campus. An additional 42 substance use treatment beds are located on CVH’s Blue Hills campus in Hartford. Over 3,000 individuals received treatment through CVH in 2019.

For information, visit bit.ly/3dBzDvd.