City of Stamford updates on coronavirus situation 03/28/2020

By City of Stamford | Posted by
CDC/ Alissa Eckert, MS; Dan Higgins, MAM

The City of Stamford updated residents through it’s daily newsletter released every evening.

Stamford, Connecticut. Saturday, March 28th, 2020

“Words matter. Those words have created a certain amount of confusion. When you lack clarity that can create confusion and confusion can lead to panic.”

– Ned Lamont

Governor of Connecticut

Source: Governor’s COVID-19 Daily Conference

The content of this newsletter is compiled by the City of Stamford and relies on information provided by health professionals, City staff, state elected officials, local organizations, and members of the community. If you have information for this newsletter — or believe some information is incorrect — please contact the City’s Communications Assistant Arthur Augustyn using this form.

Reader Survey

This newsletter is in the process of changing based on reader feedback. Please fill out this 10-question survey to help the City better understand how residents use this newsletter. Thanks!

New Format

We received hundreds of responses to the 10-question survey and we’re already making changes. Today’s biggest change is the new format. This newsletter now leads with “Recent Updates,” followed by “Help Stamford” and “Ongoing Information.” This lets residents get all the new information at a quick glance, promotes needed volunteer services, and allows us to reorganize “Ongoing Information” so it is more intuitive. We’re keeping the survey up for a few more days to get more responses. Thank you for your feedback!

This newsletter is compiled into four sections.

  1. Recent Updates. Developments on Stamford’s COVID-19 situation in the past 24 hours. This section is divided under five subsections:
    1. Major: Developments impacting all sectors.
    2. Community: Developments impacting Stamford residents.
    3. Services: Developments and closures impacting services provided to Stamford residents such as City services, utility services, nonprofit services, and etc.
    4. Business: Developments impacting Stamford businesses and business owners.
    5. School: Developments impacting students, teachers, staff, or residents who rely on services provided by Stamford Public Schools.
  2. Help Stamford. Information for volunteer/donation opportunities.
  • Ongoing Information. Comprehensive information about what’s going on in Stamford, including information on testing sites, local Mayoral orders, state executive orders, a list of closures, a list of services impacted, and much more.
  1. Information on who to contact in the City for inquiries.

All of this information and more — including situation updates from previous days, contact information for health officials, etc. — can be found on the City of Stamford’s website at http://www.stamfordct.gov/covid19. Residents can also follow the City of Stamford’s Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for periodic updates. At the bottom of this newsletter is a comprehensive list of contact information for frequently asked questions.

Recent Updates

Major:

  • Connecticut’s Department of Public Health provides a daily update on the state’s COVID-19 situation. Residents can visit this link daily for new updates. According to the report — last updated at 6:00 p.m. on March 28 — Stamford has 86 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
  • Governor Lamont announced CT Responds, a statewide volunteer management system.
  • President Donald Trump announced he was considering a quarantine of “developing ‘hot spots’, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.”
    • Mayor David Martin issued the following statement:
      “In times of crisis, you need an enormous amount of trust in your leadership to do what needs to be done. On one day the leadership of the federal government is talking about everything being open by Easter and the next day talking about quarantine. That does not give us a lot of confidence or trust. I’m not certain I know what he means by “quarantine.” but in Stamford we will work to protect our people regardless if a quarantine is implemented.”
    • Governor Lamont issued the following statement:
      “Regarding the President’s consideration of a quarantine of New York, as well as parts of Connecticut and New Jersey, our state has already called on residents to stay at home. Further, if interstate travel is absolutely necessary, our state has directed travelers to self-quarantine to prevent against further transmission of the virus. I have been in close communication with Governor Cuomo and Governor Murphy, and I look forward to speaking to the President directly about his comments and any further enforcement actions, because confusion leads to panic.”
    • Earlier this week, governors in Texas, Florida, Maryland, and South Carolina have ordered people arriving from the New York area — including Connecticut — to self-quarantine for at least 14 days upon arrival.

Community:

  • Mayor Martin released a video encouraging residents to practice social distancing at City parks and explained the City’s motivation for keeping parks open at this time.
    • Stamford’s City fields and playgrounds are closed.
    • Governor Lamont signed an executive order on March 26th restricting gatherings to no more than five people.

Services:

  • Nonprofits who have a client that: 1) uses one of the health clinics as his/her medical home, 2) does not have a primary care physician, 3) needs to be tested for COVID-19, and 4) is unable to negotiate the internal process at the clinic…
    • Please call Maria Millan at 203.977.5676 and provide all relevant information.
    • Clients will be provided with a waiver enabling someone else to represent him/her in securing a test or securing medical information used to support a decision not to test.

Business:

School:

  • No recent updates.

Help Stamford

Ongoing Information

All of the information below is available on the City of Stamford’s website (http://www.stamfordct.gov):

CDC Guidelines for social distancing and preventative measures

Below are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for protecting yourself from potential infection:

  • COVID-19 is spread through close contact. Coughing produces respiratory droplets that physically land on objects. These droplets can land on mouths or noses of a people who are nearby, and possibly inhaled into the lungs.
  • COVID-19 is most commonly spread person-to-person. Residents should limit gatherings of 10 people or more. Stamford residents are asked to advocate to their friends, family, and neighbors to follow social distancing guidelines.
    • Put distance between yourself and other people, six feet of space is recommended.
    • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
    • Stay home if you are sick.
    • Cover coughs and sneezes.
    • Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
    • If soap is not available, clean your hands with hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol.
    • If you are sick, wear a facemask when you are around other people.
    • If you are not sick, you do not need to wear a facemask. Facemasks prevent respiratory droplets from spreading. Facemasks are in short supply and should be saved for health workers and caregivers.
    • Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.
  • Grocery stores and pharmacies taking measures to limit the number of individuals inside their business should be mindful they do not indirectly create a large crowd of waiting customers outside their business.

Testing for COVID-19 in Stamford

The City of Stamford recommends three testing sites at this time:

  • Stamford Hospital on Bennett Medical Center Campus. Operated by Stamford Health. Open Monday through Friday, 8a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule an appointment by calling 203.276.4111.
  • Cummings Park. Operated by Murphy Medical Associates. Open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Schedule an appointment online or call 203.658.6051.
  • 2001 West Main Street. Operated by DOCS Urgent Care. Opening by the end of next week (March 27th). Schedule an appointment online or call 203.298.4600.

Do you have symptoms of COVID-19?:

  • Residents concerned they may have symptoms of COVID-19 should immediately call their primary care physician.
    • Symptoms include fever, coughing, and shortness of breath.
    • Primary care physicians will make an assessment and prescribe testing if appropriate.
    • Residents with symptoms of COVID-19 should notify medical professionals before visiting health care institutions. Medical staff need to prepare personal protection equipment prior to examining patients.

Residents without a Primary Care Physician or Health Care Insurance:

  • Residents who DO NOT have Primary Care Physicians, but DO have health insurance, can contact their health insurance provider to obtain names of approved Primary Care Physicians to contact.
    • Stamford Health recommends residents call 1.877.233.9355 to receive a list of all physicians who can provide prescriptions of testing.
  • Residents who DO NOT have Primary Care Physicians OR health insurance may contact one of the following organizations:
    • Access Health CT: 855.365.2428. Only available through Thursday, April 2nd.
    • Americares: 203.658.9500. Not accepting new patients.
    • Community Health Center of Stamford: 203.323.8160
    • Family Centers Health: 203.717.1760. Not accepting walk-ins.
    • Optimus Health Care: 203.327.5111
  • Stamford Health recommends residents call Stamford Health’s COVID-19 hotline: 203.276.4111.

Are more testing sites coming?

  • Mayor Martin said the City’s testing capacity demand could reach up to 10,000 tests per week. The three recommended testing sites (listed above) have a combined testing capacity of approximately 2,500 per week.
    • Mayor Martin announced the City was working with medical practitioners willing to open more testing sites to test all residents — including residents who still need health insurance.
    • Mayor Martin announced the City was pursuing streamlining the testing process so residents only need to call a single number to receive instructions on how to get tested and where.

COVID-19 Cases in Stamford & Connecticut:

Businesses, Services, and Organizations in Stamford impacted:

Businesses still open (must follow social distancing guidelines):

  • Gas stations.
  • Grocery stores.
  • Pharmacies

Businesses closed until further notice (by order of the Governor):

  • All non-essential businesses.
  • All restaurants and bars.
    • Takeout and delivery options still available.
  • All gyms and movie theaters.
  • All amusement parks, bowling alleys, and indoor walkways for large shopping malls.
  • All body care facilities.

Utility Services:

Food retail stores (grocery stores, supermarkets) & supply chains:

  • Several supermarkets announced morning hours will be reserved for elderly residents who are more at-risk for COVID-19 infections.
    • Cingari’s Grade A ShopRite Supermarkets in Stamford will reserve 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. for customers 65 and older.
    • Laroccas Supermarket will reserve 8 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. for customers 60 and older.
    • Acme Markets will reserve 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., Monday through Friday for customers 60 and older.
    • Stop and Shop Supermarkets will reserve 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. for customers aged 60 and older.
  • Inventory at local food retail stores may be depleted due to high demand, however there is no reported supply chain shortage at this time.
    • Some food retail stores have reported demand for products such as toilet paper and canned goods has returned to normal.
  • Resident concerns about toilet paper:

Organizations and institutions (alphabetical):

  • Bi-Cultural Hebrew Academy: Closed until Monday, March 30th.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Stamford: Closed until further notice.
  • Building One Community: The building will remain open.
    • Classes, group programs & events are canceled effective immediately for an indefinite amount of time.
  • Chelsea Piers: Closed until at least Tuesday, March 31.
  • Children’s Learning Center: Closed until April 10th.
  • Fairfield Business Council announced it would shut down.
  • Ferguson Library: Closed until further notice.
  • Islamic Center of Stamford: Closed until further notice.
  • Italian Center: All group fitness, youth programs and group swim lessons are postponed until further notice.
  • King School: Closed until April 27th.
  • New Covenant Center: Contingency meal service protocols in place. Café temporarily closed to the public.
    • Only staff and volunteers allowed into the facility. Lunch and dinner meals will be distributed on bagged or boxed meal-to-go basis.
    • Food pantry distribution will still go forth on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, with a reduction on how many enlisted guests can shop at a time.
    • Individuals with day-of-shopping appointments will be checked-in and escorted to sit and wait in café area.
  • Schoke Jewish Family Services: Closed until further notice. Freedberg Kosher Food Pantry will remain open, providing pre-packaged bags available for pickup outside the building. Counseling services provided through telephone sessions.
  • Stamford Health: Stamford Hospital no longer allowing visitors to “protect the health and wellbeing of patients, staff, and community.”
    • Pediatric and NICU patients will be allowed 2 parent/guardian visitors.
    • Labor & Delivery patients will be allowed 1 designated support person.
  • Stamford Jewish Community Center: Closed until further notice.
  • Stamford Museum & Nature Center: Closed to the public until further notice.
  • Stamford Police Department: All fingerprinting services provided will be temporarily suspended.
  • Stamford Public Schools: All schools will be closed through Friday, April 10th.
  • Stamford Senior Center: All Senior Center programs and activities suspended.
  • Stamford YMCA: Closed until further notice
  • Town Clerk’s Office: Appointment only (essential business only)
  • UConn Stamford: Campus closed until further notice, classes will be held online for the remainder of the semester.

City of Stamford services and ordinances:

City Departments:

City ordinances / Mayoral orders:

  • Activities of five or more people at City parks and fields are prohibited.
    • This includes contact sports, group activities, and any event or outing with five or more people.
  • The City of Stamford has suspended pay-to-park requirements for all City metered parking spaces until further notice.
  • The City of Stamford’s 120-hour parking violation has been suspended until further notice.
  • The City of Stamford’s plastic bag ordinance is suspended until further notice.
  • Mayor David Martin signed two executive orders:

State of Connecticut services and actions impacting Stamford:

Corrections of misinformation and rumors:

Assistance available for residents

Residents who are unemployed, cannot pay rent/mortgage, or witness price-gouging:

Low-income residents:

  • Person-to-Person Food assistance. Groceries and fresh produce, protein, and dairy are available to residents with income below 235% Federal Poverty Guidelines, or employees furloughed due to COVID-19.
    • Please call 203.655.0048 to make an appointment.
    • Visit https://p2phelps.org/ for more information.
    • Stamford’s location is 425 Fairfield Avenue, Building 1, Suite 111, Stamford, CT 06902.
    • Person-to-Person on Wheels mobile pantry serves Stamford neighborhoods with fresh produce, protein, dairy, tuna, beans, cereal, peanut butter, jelly, soups, fruits & vegetables, pasta, and rice. The mobile pantry is available at the following times and neighborhoods:
      • Mondays, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Yerwood Boys & Girls Club, 90 Fairfield Avenue.
      • Mondays, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Stamford Manor, 26 Main Street.
      • Tuesdays, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ferguson Library South End, 34 Woodland Avenue.
      • Tuesdays, 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. Shippan Place, 521 Shippan Avenue.
      • Wednesdays, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. Domus, 83 Lockwood Avenue.
      • Thursdays, 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. Building One Community, 75 Selleck Street.
    • Person-to-Person Emergency Financial Assistance: Caseworkers meet with clients to determine eligibility for emergency financial assistance for rent, security deposits, utilities, and small emergency expenses. Residents can call 203.655.0048.

Senior residents:

  • Stamford-based SilverSource provides resources to seniors. Stamford seniors — or individuals interested in volunteering — can contact 203.324.6584. Resources include:
    • Individual Assistance & Emergency Support: Serving seniors in need of housing stability or healthcare needs. Social work consultations are taken by phone.
    • Prescription Deliveries: Seniors currently on the prescription program will continue to receive medications with the support of pharmacy delivery services.
    • Grocery Deliveries: SilverSource has set up pop-up food pantry/distribution centers to support homebound seniors with grocery deliveries. Volunteers and staff make front door drop-offs and utilize delivery services.
    • Medical Transportation: SilverSource continues to provide free transportation to essential medical appointments. A rigorous wipe-down is done of the transport vehicle between each passenger trip.
    • Senior Wellness Check-ins: Staff and volunteers connect with older clients by phone to ensure they are well and reduce isolation.

Miscellaneous:

  • Nonprofits who have a client that: 1) Uses one of the health clinics as his/her medical home 2) Does not have a primary care physician 3) Needs to be tested for COVID-19, and 4) Is unable to negotiate the internal process at the clinic…
    • Please call Maria Millan at 203.977.5676 and provide all relevant information.
    • Clients will be provided with a waiver enabling someone else to represent him/her in securing a test or securing medical information used to support a decision not to test.

Governor’s executive orders & other state actions affecting Stamford:

  • Governor Lamont signed an executive order March 26th directing several actions:
    • All gatherings are restricted to no more than 5 people.
    • Eating establishments (such as restaurants) must limit entrance of guests to the minimum extent necessary. Also requires touchless payment at these establishments if possible.
    • All retail establishments must ensure customers maintain 6 feet of distance between each other. Also requires touchless payment at these establishments if possible.
    • All retail businesses that sell firearms, ammunition, or similar components to conduct transactions by appointment only in order to limit as much person-to-person contact as possible.
    • Suspends tax on single-use plastic bags.
    • Prohibits operators of grocery stores or retail businesses from forcing their employees to bag items into customer-provided reusable bags.
    • Suspends 21-month limit on Temporary Family Assistance.
    • Waives all annual student assessment test requirements for current school year
    • Full text of the executive order is found here.

Federal bills & legislation relating to COVID-19:

  • President Donald Trump signed into law the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” (“CARES Act”) on March 27th.
    • Analysis of the bill available through:
    • The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $2 trillion “Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act” or the “CARES Act.” The bill is expected to be signed into law by President Donald Trump.

Stamford Public Schools:

  • All Stamford Public Schools are closed until Monday, April 20th by order of Governor Lamont.
  • Stamford Public Schools will continue to provide grab-and-go meals from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. to anyone 18 and under. Residents can pick up their meal from any of the following locations:
    • All locations serving Grab-and-Go meals will switch to a three-day schedule beginning on Monday, March 30th:
      • Monday: two breakfasts, two lunches per student.
      • Wednesday: two breakfasts, two lunches per student.
      • Friday: three breakfasts, three lunches per student.
    • Elementary Schools:
      • Davenport Ridge, 1300 Newfield Avenue.
      • Hart Magnet, 61 Adams Avenue.
      • Julia A. Stark, 398 Glenbrook Road.
      • T. Murphy, 19 Horton Street.
      • Newfield, 345 Pepper Ridge Road.
      • Northeast, 82 Scofieldtown Road.
      • Rogers International School, 202 Blachley Road.
      • Roxbury, 751 West Hill Road.
      • Springdale, 1127 Hope Street.
      • Stillmeadow, 800 Stillwater Road.
      • Strawberry Hill, 200 Strawberry Hill Avenue.
      • Westover Magnet, 1 Elmcroft Road.
    • Middle Schools:
      • Dolan, 51 Toms Road.
      • Rippowam, 381High Ridge Road.
    • Community-based Organizations and Programs:
      • Stamford Public Schools Anchor at Harbor Landing, 68 Southfield Avenue.
      • Yerwood Center, 90 Fairfield Avenue.
      • Chester Addison Center, 245 Selleck Street.
      • Trailblazer (Domus), 83 Lockwood Avenue.
      • Faith Tabernacle Church, 29 Grove Street.
    • Connecticut’s standardized testing requirements are suspended, following the federal government’s announcement on Friday allowing school testing to be canceled or postponed.
      • This includes Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) and School Day Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT).
      • Advanced Placement (AP) exams will be available online.

Resources for Businesses:

All information for Stamford businesses or business owners can be found at http://www.stamfordct.gov/economic-development/pages/business-information-for-covid-19. Residents can find this information by visiting http://www.stamfordct.gov/covid19 and selecting “Assistance for Businesses.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have provided information specifically for businesses.

Dates and deadlines impacted:

City of Stamford Contact Information / Frequently Asked Questions

  • Questions relating to COVID-19 testing, infections, and quarantine: City of Stamford’s Department of Health at 203.977.4398 (after work hours call 211) or stamfordDIRHLTH@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions relating to environmental cleaning or personal protective equipment: Director of Lab James Federici at 203.977.4378 or jfederici@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions relating to schools and daycares: Nursing Supervisor Pat Caldwell at 203.977.4370 or pcaldwell@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions relating to restaurants, hotels, motels, rooming houses, or pools: Environmental Inspector Gail McRae at 203.977.5122 or gmcrae@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions from the press: City spokesperson Arthur Augustyn at 203.977.5115 or aaugustyn@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions from business owners: Director of Economic Development Thomas Madden or tmadden@stamfordct.gov.
  • Questions about food distribution or food insecurity: Director of Social Services Ellen Bromley at 203.977.4112 or ebromley@stamfordct.gov.
  • City of Stamford’s pre-recorded COVID-19 hotline: 203.977.8840.
  • All other questions: Department of Health at 203.977.4398 or StamfordDIRHLTH@stamfordct.gov.
  • Other contact information:
    • State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 information hotline: dial 211.
    • Stamford Health’s COVID-19 hotline: 203.276.4111.

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