Virus-related death reported in Danbury
Boughton urges people over age 60 to avoid confined spaces
DANBURY — The city’s mayor is urging people in “vulnerable” populations to take extra precautions as the state sees a rise in coronavirus cases, and after Danbury’s first confirmed COVID-19-related death since June.
“If you’re in a vulnerable population or over 60, I do not recommend going into a confined space right now. You should wait for better times,” Mayor Mark Boughton said Thursday evening during a Facebook livestream.
The state saw five new deaths Thursday as a result of COVID-19-associated cases, including one in Danbury, Boughton said. The death in Danbury, deemed “tragic” but the mayor, brings the total COVID-19 fatality count of Danbury residents to 125, according to state data.
“Folks, it’s serious and it’s real,” he said before reiterating the importance of wearing a mask, using hand sanitizer, frequent hand-washing and avoiding large groups of people.
The state saw 290 new coronavirus cases confirmed Friday, according to Gov. Ned Lamont’s office, in addition to three additional deaths. The state’s positivity was 1.68 percent
Friday.
Danbury saw a spike in cases in August, which has since declined and plateaued, although it remains among the cities in the state with the highest number of confirmed cases on a weekto-week basis.
Boughton’s urging came on the same day as the third phase of the state’s reopening plan commenced, which allowed restaurants and other indoor businesses to increase capacity.
While he understands people’s desire to eat out and have some semblance of pre-pandemic normalcy, Boughton said it’s important for people — especially those at increased risk — to be cautious.
With temperatures dropping and the further opening of the state, Boughton said he isn’t sure what to expect in terms of Danbury’s COVID-19 case count.
“It’s hard to say. I think we have to monitor it closely,” he said Friday.
“Right now we’re in the moderate zone, according to the state and the way they categorize infection rate, so we’re still a go on opening schools, but a few more cases percentage-wise and we’ll be out of there — but it just depends what the next couple weeks look like,” Boughton said, referring to reopen schools Oct. 26.
Restating his concern about indoor public gatherings, the mayor said he doesn’t think “going indoors is going to be help
ful.”
“I think it’s going to be problematic,” Boughton said.
Testing
Boughton said Baitul Mukarram Masjid at 330 Main St., will have free, walk-up COVID-19 testing from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.
He said the mosque will hold a food drive and people are encouraged to bring canned goods, which will be distributed to those in need.
Two other locations in Danbury will offer free
COVID-19 testing next week:
The Community Health Center of Danbury at 8 Delay St. will have testing Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m..
The Greater Danbury Community Health Center will offer testing at its 120 Main St. site Monday from
3 to 5 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.