Recuperation journey: Tuesday sunset

Have a peaceful evening.

Naugatuck Valley Health District updates COVID-19 data

From the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page Tuesday:

The Naugatuck Valley Health District continues to work closely with our partners at the Connecticut Department of Public Health Health (DPH), local hospitals, and with outpatient healthcare providers to obtain information related to persons under investigation (PUI) who are Valley residents. A PUI is any person who is currently under investigation for having the virus that causes COVID-19, or who was under investigation but tested negative for the virus.

Public health officials, healthcare providers, and private laboratories are working around the clock so that we can keep our patients and residents informed. We want to take this opportunity to explain how this process occurs and why there have been minor discrepancies in reporting of cases for our communities.

The State Department of Public Health now publishes a report that breaks down positive COVID-19 cases by town. That report can be accessed at www.ct.gov/coronavirus. The sources of the data included in this report are: The Dr. Katherine A. Kelley State Public Health Laboratory, Hospital, and Commercial Laboratories.

Effective March 18, 2020, DPH Commissioner Coleman-Mitchell amended the List of Reportable Diseases, Emergency Illnesses and Health Conditions and List of Reportable Laboratory Findings by adding “COVID-19” and “SARS-CoV-2” to such lists. The amendment also requires laboratories to notify DPH with positive and negative laboratory findings for SARS-CoV-2. When DPH receives these reports, they are entered into a HIPAA compliant and secure online electronic disease surveillance system that is accessible by local health departments. However, in some cases, a hospital or healthcare provider may learn of a laboratory confirmed case and notify the local health department before the report is entered into the DPH online surveillance system.

The physician who ordered the test for the patient and the Naugatuck Valley Health District staff will contact individuals who test positive for the coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19. Those individuals will remain in quarantine at their homes. Individuals who reside in the same household as a laboratory confirmed positive case will also be required to self-quarantine at their home. Health department staff will work with the patients to investigate and determine if additional individuals need to be notified or require 14-day self-monitoring periods at home. If an individual is inpatient or in a healthcare facility, that facility will lead the investigation.

Community spread/transmission is now occurring in the Valley. People have been infected with the virus, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected. Please practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible.

Every day, at 3:00PM, Naugatuck Valley Health District will provide updates on the data available for cases here in the Valley at www.nvhd.org/covid19-data/

**Please remember, this data is subject to change.**

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Please do not show up without calling first.

For general questions about COVID-19, please call 2-1-1. This hotline is accessible 24 hours a day and in multiple languages.

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may be stressful for people. Fear and anxiety about a disease can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in adults and children. Coping with stress will make you, the people you care about, and your community stronger. NVHD has compiled resources for individuals and families that can be accessed at www.nvhd.org/coping.

Additional online, credible resources:
www.nvhd.org/coronaviruses/COVID-19
www.ct.gov/coronavirus
www.coronavirus.gov 

Derby mayor closes parks, playgrounds until further notice

Sharing from Derby Mayor Richard Dziekan's Facebook page:

"As we continue to navigate our new reality amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that local government officials help set the tone to mitigate the spread of the virus.

"In accordance with this idea, Derby will be following the lead of Seymour, Ansonia and Oxford and closing our public parks until further notice.

This includes:

-Payden Park/Ryan/DeFillippo Field (baseball, football/soccer field and track),
-Bradley School court and playground, Irving School court and playground,
-Witek Park Soccer Field,
-the picnic grove and basketball courts

"As of right now, the Derby Greenway will remain open, but we strongly encourage you to practice social distancing if you choose to utilize it.

These restrictions will remain in place until further notice."

Klarides-Ditria offers info on special Access Health CT enrollment

Dear Neighbors,

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to threaten public health and cause employment disruptions, ACCESS HEALTH CT has created a SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD and will be accepting enrollments through Thursday April 2, 2020. To see if you qualify, you will need to call them at 855-365-2428 between 8AM - 5PM, Monday - Friday.

What is different about this NEW Special Enrollment Period and Existing Special Enrollment Periods?

Uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT during the NEW Special Enrollment Period from Thursday, March 19 – Thursday, April 2, 2020.
The effective date of coverage for all enrollments during the NEW Special Enrollment Period will be April 1, 2020.
The only way to sign up for this NEW Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428.
Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of coverage due to job change or unemployment) or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can ALWAYS enroll online, in-person or over the phone and all help is free.

For more information on this SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD, please go to learn.accesshealthct.com.

If you have any questions or concerns on this or any other issue, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700.

Sincerely,

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Today's note to families from Ansonia Superintendent of Schools

Adam's House postpones 'Dancing with the Stars' to October

Posted today on Adam's House Facebook page:

We have made a difficult decision to reschedule “Dancing With The Stars to Benefit Adam’s House.” 

The new date will be October 16th.

The good news is all of our celebrity dancers are available on the new date- Don’t worry- all your votes and ads will still count toward your favorite dance duo.

If you have purchased tickets please let us know how you would like us to proceed:
1. Request a full refund
2. Hold your tickets for the October 16th performance
3. Keep as a donation so we can continue to offer our free grief services to CT families

You can still support Adam’s House for “The Great Give” May 5 – 6. Stay tuned later this week for more information!

Finally, in these uncertain times, we hope you are hugging your loved ones a little tighter at home and keeping yourselves healthy. Be safe and be well.

Ansonia closes basketball courts, playgrounds, parks

Sharing from Tuesday post on City of Ansonia Facebook page:

"Attention residents ~ at this time for public safety, we must close all city basketball courts, city playgrounds and city parks to the public. 
"If you are out for a walk in open space, please practice social distancing by staying six feet apart."

Local history post offers break from COVID-19 news

Sharing a post today from the Derby Historical Society Facebook page:

"The year was 1981. The 5th CR [Connecticut Regiment] is seen here during a commemorative ceremony in front of the General David Humphreys House. This was the 200-year anniversary of the victory at Yorktown."

The Humphreys House is at 37 Elm St., Ansonia. 

*I shared this history post to give us all a break from the horrible news about COVID-19. Stay safe!