Town of Redding
Health Department
P.O. Box 1028
Redding Center, CT 06875
Tel: 203-938-2559
Fax: 203-938-8816
April 29, 2020
Redding COVID-19 Update
Seven Redding residents who tested positive for COVID-19 have died. The need to social distance from one another continues. It’s best to assume that anyone could be infected and to continue with necessary precautions.
Cloth Face Coverings
When in a public place do your best to stay six feet from others and cover your mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering. Here’s a video showing you how to make your own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPx1yqvJgf4. Such masks may help slow the spread of the virus by keeping people from coughing or sneezing on others.
Masks for Essential Small Businesses
The State of Connecticut has partnered with CBIA-CONNSTEP to assist in the distribution of donated surgical masks to eligible, essential small business with 50 employees or less. The list of essential small businesses is here: https://portal.ct.gov/DECD/Content/Coronavirus-Business-Recovery/Business-Exemptions-for-Coronavirus. Requests can be made on the CBIA-CONNSTEP Portal at the following link: https://www.ctcovidresponse.org/ct-smb-surgical-mask-requests. Due to lack of supply it is recommended that small businesses and employees that have limited contact with the public are strongly urged to create their own masks following CDC guidelines.
Testing
The State of Connecticut has formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that will make free, rapid tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. CVS is planning to conduct 750 tests per day, seven days a week. The tests are for anyone experiencing certain COVID-19 related symptoms and risk factors as defined by CDC guidelines. All patients seeking to be tested will be required to pre-register in advance on-line. The tests will not take place at CVS Pharmacy but will be held at the former Gateway Community College parking lot (60 Sargent Drive, New Haven). To register, visit https://www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing. It is hoped other similar sites in the state will be set up.
Coming Out of Isolation
Persons with COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms may discontinue isolation only if they have been symptom free for at least 3 days (72hrs). Symptom free is defined as resolution of fever without fever reducing medications and improvement with cough and shortness of breath, and at least 7 days have passed since symptoms first appeared.
“Talk It Out” Hotline for Parents
Parents and caretakers in need of help with the stress from caring for their children during this crisis are invited to call the state’s new “Talk It Out” hotline. The hotline provides support from trained professionals who will listen and speak with those in need. Governor Lamont stated “Seeking help and support at times like these is a sign of strength and hope. It is normal, and we all need help at times – especially now”. The hotline is available M-F 8am-8pm and on weekends from 1pm-8pm. The number is 1-833-258-5011 or visit www.talkitoutct.com.
How We Feel App
The State has partnered with the developers of the “How We Feel” app. It’s a tool for health officials and doctors to get a better understanding of how the whole population is feeling, both healthy and sick. It takes about 30 seconds each day. The anonymous information shared has the potential to reveal outbreak hotspots and provide scientists with critical health information needed to understand the spread of COVID-19. It’s downloadable for free.
Information Sources
Governor Lamont has put out a thorough FAQ document that will most likely address questions that you might have. It can be found at: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf?la=en
Redding information can be found at: https://townofreddingct.org/
The CDC website is at: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-nCoV/index.html
Connecticut Department of Public Health site is at: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus
Once again, we must “Stay Safe, Stay Home”.
The Redding Health Department
Social Distancing
All segments of U.S. society have a role to play at this time. The governor signed an executive order asking Connecticut businesses and residents to: “Stay Safe, Stay Home”. Not feeling sick isn’t a good enough reason to break the social distancing norms because you could be incubating the virus and spreading it inadvertently. Social distancing is primarily about protecting other people by slowing transmission. This includes canceling or postponing gatherings of more than 10 people, working from home, and staying away (at least 6 feet) from others, especially those who are ill. Social distancing may seem jarring but all are asked as a whole to do what is necessary during this public health emergency. If adhered to, social distancing will improve the odds of fewer becoming ill and more stay well. “Stay Safe, Stay Home”.
State and Local Closures & Postponements
Redding Town Hall is closed to the public. To contact a department, please call, email, or take advantage of the services available on the town’s website https://townofreddingct.org.
The Mark Twain Library and the Redding Community Center are closed.
The Transfer Station is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 8:00am-2:00pm for garbage and recycling drop-off only. There will be no bulky waste drop-off at this time. All residents must be able to put their household garbage and recycling in the dumpsters themselves. There will be no charge.
Redding school distance learning begins on Monday, March 23, 2020.
Restaurants and bars that serve food are now providing take-out and delivery services only. This does not apply to farmers’ markets, food banks, mobile food trucks or food delivery. The Food and Drug Administration has stated that foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission. We encourage all to support Redding/Georgetown restaurants and delis. We have confirmed that most are providing take-out or
How Can I Help
During these challenging times there is a need for food donations at the Redding Food Pantry. To arrange a donation drop-off call 203-938-9725 or 203-938-3580 from 9-5 M-Th.
How to Stop the Spread
The best means of protection is via behavior modifications:
• Wash hands frequently (best with very warm water and soap with vigorous scrubbing of the fingers for at least 20 seconds, or hand sanitizers when soap and water are not available.
• Avoid coughing or sneezing into your hands (best to do so in the crook of your elbow or into a tissue followed by hand washing).
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Stay home when ill
• Minimize exposure to others who are ill
• Clean surfaces with disinfectant wipes whenever possible (these can harbor respiratory secretions).
The CDC recommends daily cleaning and disinfecting often touched surfaces such as tables, hard backed chairs, doorknobs, light switches, remotes, drawer handles, desks, toilets, sinks, keyboards, and cell phones.
Where to go for Information
The governor has release a helpful FAQ document: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/COVID-19-FAQs.pdf%E2%80%A6
For those with questions there’s an info line at 2-1-1 or text “CTCOVID” to 898211.
For updates and additional information you can visit https://portal.ct.gov/DPH/Public-Health-Preparedness/Main-Page/2019-Novel-Coronavirus and https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
The Redding Health Department
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE NOVEL CORONAVIRUS
Coronavirus (COVID-19) A Physician’s Perspective – Dr. Larry Leibowitz
Coronavirus – Keeping it Simple
Coronavirus Disease-Stop the Spread
Note from Redding Health Director, Dr. Larry Leibowitz
From the Office of the First Selectman – text of town-wide phone message March 11, 2020