Below message was posted Monday evening on the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page:
"It is evident that we are in the acceleration phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, meaning we are consistently receiving an increasing number of cases. With an increasing number of cases, we can expect that we will continue to an increase number of COVID-19 related deaths. We expect the Valley cases to continue to rise over the next few days. We will continue to remain in this phase until we are consistently seeing declining cases, at which point we move into the deceleration phase of the pandemic.
NVHD was made aware of eight additional COVID-19 associated deaths, bringing to the total to 18. Seven were among Shelton residents in addition to the first COVID-19 associated death in Seymour. A new table with COVID-19 associated deaths is included below.
"Today marks the first day of National Public Health Week, a week dedicated to promoting and advocating for different public health topics. Quite fittingly, today’s topic is behavioral health. If you are experiencing anxiety or stress related to COVID-19, there are resources available.
"Please visit http://www.nvhd.org/coping/ or utilize the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) Disaster Distress Helpline by calling 1-800-985-5990 or by texting TalkWithUs to 66746. If you, or someone you care about, are feeling overwhelmed with emotions like sadness, depression, or anxiety, or feel like you want to harm yourself or others call 911.
For public health surveillance, laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 associated deaths are defined as patients who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death; this is not a determination of the cause of death.
Of the total deceased, sixteen were residents of nursing homes or assisted living facilities. The COVID-19 related deaths reported by NVHD have been confirmed through laboratory testing. Suspected COVID-19 related deaths are not being reported by NVHD.
As of 7:30 PM on Monday, April 6, 2020, 95 (34%) of the 279 confirmed cases among Valley residents, are individuals who currently reside in a nursing home, assisted living facility, group home, or other similar setting.
Please be advised that some towns have multiple facilities reporting COVID-19 cases. Cases are reported by the individuals permanent address, not the town of the facility in which they may be receiving treatment or recovering. This data is subject to change since some individuals may end up leaving a facility to recover at their permanent place of residence.
When an individual or worker tests positive for COVID-19 within an assisted living facility and/or nursing home, the investigation is led by the State Department of Public Health (DPH) and the State Facility Licensing and Investigation Section (FLIS). The NVHD remains in communication with the facilities as well as our state agency partners during the investigation."
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