Town of Redding
Health Department
P.O. Box 1028
Redding Center, CT 06875
Tel: 203-938-2559 Fax: 203-938-8816
March 23, 2020
Coronavirus
Coronavirus continues to spread mainly from person-to-person contact between people who are in close proximity with one another. Older adults are most at risk. If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms such as dry cough or difficulty breathing, stay home and call your doctor for advice before leaving the house and going anywhere. Based on your symptoms and other information you provide your doctor will determine if you meet criteria for COVID-19 testing. Obtaining an order from your doctor is required to be tested. Those who need immediate medical assistance should call 911.
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-2:00 pm 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 curbside service. Go on line for their menu then call to order.
The growing list of closures includes schools, movie theaters, gyms, fitness centers, large malls such as the Danbury Fair Mall and the Trumbull Mall, zoos, water parks, public pools, funplexes, bowling alleys and other family and children’s amusement attractions.
Public parks and recreational areas are open.
Connecticut’s presidential primary election has been rescheduled to June 2, 2020.
The American Dental Association recommends that dentists nationwide postpone elective procedures and only treat patients in the case of a dental emergency.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health urges all hair and nail salons and other businesses that services that require direct contact with customers to cease operation for the time being.
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
