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Departments & Services > Health > COVID-19

COVID-19

This page is dedicated to provide information and resources regarding the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic. For Fairfield COVID-19 data, please visit the data page. 

Preventative Measures

There are currently 3 FDA approved vaccines for Emergency Use (Pfizer, Moderna, and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson). It is strongly encouraged that all eligible individuals get vaccinated. Pfizer is approved for those 12 years and older, Moderna and Janssen/Johnson & Johnson is approved for those over the age of 18 years. We currently do not know when vaccine approval will occur in those under the age of 11 years or the status of booster shots. In additional to getting vaccinated, the CDC recommends these everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19. 

  • Stay home is you are sick except to seek medical care.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. The health department has a video demonstrating how to wash your hands properly. 
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands after. The health department has a video demonstrating the importance of covering your cough/sneeze. 
  • Avoid contact with people who may be sick.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Wear a face covering.
  • Socially distance by keeping at least a 6ft distance from others. 

Testing

Please visit this website for up to date information on COVID-19 testing and antibody testing. 

Questions/Call Centers

Frequently Asked Questions

Call 2-1-1 for general COVID-19 questions

Yale New Haven Call Center - 1-833-ASK YNNH (275-9644)

Hartford Health Care - 1-833-621-0600

Nuvance Health - 1-888-667-9262

What to do if... 

I am well... 

Practice social distancing

  • Stay home as much as possible except to work, pick up essentials, or to receive medical care
  • Maintain a 6 foot distance from others outside of your household

I was exposed to a person with symptoms of COVID-19 or a confirmed case... 

Self-Monitor/Self-Quarantine

  • Monitor your temperature twice a day. If you develop a cough, fever and shortness of breath, call your health care provider immediately.
  • Maintain a 6’ distance from other household members and pets.
  • Sleep in a separate bedroom. Stay in that bedroom as much as possible.
  • If available, use a separate bathroom.
  • Do not eat together and do not share utensils, dishes, etc.
  • Wash hands frequently – this is for all household members. Use soap and water and wash for at least 20 seconds.
  • Use tissue for coughing and dispose of promptly and then wash your hands.
  • Clean and disinfect ‘high touch’ surfaces such as bathroom and kitchen countertops, door handles, faucets, remote controls, light switches, etc.
  • Discourage visitors
  • Unaffected household members who are well have no restrictions on their activity outside of the home. They may go to work, etc.

I am sick with symptoms of COVID-19 or have been confirmed and recovering at home... 

Self-Isolation

  • Stay in your designated room.
  • All members of the household should follow the above guidelines for self-quarantine and should not go to school, work, etc.
  • Masks should be used by both patient and household member when giving care in isolation.

Isolation

Someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, whether unvaccinated or vaccinated, are asked to isolate for at least 10 days (beginning either at initial symptom start date or positive test date, whichever is earliest).

They can break isolation when three things happen:

  1. No fever for 24 hours without the use of fever reducing medications
  2. Any COVID-19 symptoms continue to improve
  3. It has been at least 10 days since symptoms first started or when they tested positive

There is NO test out option for this and it is a standard 10-day isolation. It can be extended if the points above are not met.

Quarantine 

Someone who was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19 but is not sick themselves will be asked to quarantine or self-monitor for symptoms.

  • Unvaccinated: There are three quarantine options for unvaccinated people who are exposed:
    • 14 day quarantine from the date of last exposure
    • 10 day quarantine from the date of last exposure but continue to self-monitor for symptoms for an additional 4 days
    • 7 day quarantine from the date of last exposure with a test on the 5th, 6th, or 7th, if the test is negative (PCR or Rapid), they can return to usual activities on the 8th day. Continue to self-monitor for symptoms for an additional 7 days.
  • Vaccinated: Vaccinated individuals are not asked to quarantine at the current recommendations. They are however asked to wear a mask in indoor public places for 14 days. They can test out of wearing the mask on day 3, 4, or 5, if the test (PCR or Rapid) is negative, they can remove the mask. They do not need to quarantine while waiting test results.

However, they should continue to monitor for symptoms for 14 days.

Travel

In CT, there is currently no executive order regarding domestic or international travel. However, it is recommended to follow the CDC travel-related guidance.

  • Domestic Travel
    • Unvaccinated
      • Test 3-5 days AFTER travel AND stay home and quarantine for 7 days AFTER travel, even if your test is negative. If your test is positive, follow Isolation instructions above.
      • If you choose to not get tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days
    • Vaccinated
      • No restrictions, self-monitor for symptoms for 14 days after travel
  • International Travel
    • Unvaccinated
      • Test 3-5 days AFTER travel AND stay home and quarantine for 7 days AFTER travel, even if your test is negative. If your test is positive, follow Isolation instructions above.
      • If you choose to not get tested, stay home and quarantine for 10 days
    • Vaccinated
      • Test 3-5 days AFTER travel and self-monitor for symptoms
 

Cloth Face Coverings 

Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7BB enacts the following provisions:

Cloth face coverings or higher level of protection required in public wherever close contact is unavoidable: Effective at 8:00 p.m. on April 21, 2020, any person in a public place in Connecticut who is unable to or does not maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering. In addition, individuals shall use a mask or cloth face covering when using the services of any taxi, car, livery, ride-sharing or similar service or means of mass public transit, or while within any semi-enclosed transit stop or waiting area. The commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development will be required to update the previously issued Safe Workplace rules and Safe Store rules. Nothing in this order shall require the use of a mask or cloth face covering by anyone for whom doing so would be contrary to his or her health or safety because of a medical condition, anyone under the age of 2 years, or by an older child if the parent, guardian or person responsible for the child is unable to place the mask safely on the child’s face. If a person declines to wear a mask or face covering because of a medical condition as described above, such person shall not be required to produce medical documentation verifying the stated condition.

Reopen CT

In response to Governor Lamont’s Reopen CT initiative, please view this link for sector rules.   

How to support local businesses while social distancing 

For ways how you can still support local businesses and grocery store hours and delivery options please visit our "Support Local" webpage. 

Social services 

Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund

If you are in need of services, please contact Fairfield's Social Services at 203-256-3169. Black Rock Congregational Church can also provide services if needed and can be contacted at 203-255-3401 x100 or info@blackrock.org.  

Homebound seniors, can receive a hot lunch delivery and a bag on non-perishables weekly, please call 203-256-3166 for more information.  

Fairfield friendly caller program - Fairfield Public Health Nurses, Library Staff, and CERT Volunteers will make calls to those who want a friendly, informal chat, to let them know someone is thinking of them and to make sure they have everything they need and what resources are available. Contact Fairfield Social Services for more information 203-256-3166 or socialservices@fairfieldct.org. 

Mental Health Resources

211 CT - Mental Health Category: provides links to providers of counseling services for adults and children and mental health support groups.

HEALTHY LIVES CT: provides information and tools for maintaining or regaining wellness in the areas of emotional wellness, physical wellness, holistic wellness, financial wellness, and recovery from addiction issues.

SAMHSA Disaster Distress Helpline: provides 24/7, 365-day-a-year crisis counseling and support to people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.

CDC Manage Anxiety & Stress: offers tips for reducing stress in yourself and others and offers information for parents, responders and people released from quarantine.

Mental Health and COVID-19 – Information and Resources 

Coping with Corona: Mental Health Supports in a Pandemic 

Informational videos

American Sign Language (ASL) Videos

The CDC has a series of ASL videos available for our deaf and hard of hearing community covering a range of topics, from social distancing to caring for others to safety practices, centered around COVID-19. The videos are available on YouTube at this link. 

Why and How to Use a Cloth Face Covering

Fairfield's Community Mitigation Strategy

6 Preventative Steps

Proper Hand Washing

Cover Your Cough

 

Social Distancing, Self-Quarantine and Self-Isolation 

COVID-19 guidance for specific groups

Getting Your Household Ready for COVID-19

Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 Spread in Our Community

Guidance for Individuals, Families and Community

Guidance for Businesses

Guidance for Health Care Providers, Guidance for Health Care Facilities, Guidance for Long Term Care Facilities

Guidance for Schools US Dept of Education, Tips for Talking with Children for Parents and Teachers, Pandemic Guidance for Schools

Guidance for Travelers New Guidance for Travelers from Countries with Widespread Ongoing Transmission

Guidance on Caring for People Confirmed or Suspected COVID-19 in a Home/Residential Setting

Guidance on Protecting Yourself

Additional resources

For general information about COVID-19, as well as information for healthcare professionals and travelers, please visit the CDC's website

CDC Webpage on US COVID-19 Coronavirus Activity.  Additional Details on US Cases.

World Health Organization Dashboard on Worldwide COVID-19 Coronavirus Activity

Johns Hopkins University Dashboard of Worldwide COVID-19 Coronavirus Activity

General Tips to prevent the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus

CDC Interim Guidance for Preventing COVID-19 Coronavirus from Spreading to Others in Homes and Communities

Various COVID-19 Coronavirus Data and Rate Estimates (non governmental/academic website)

CT Department of Public Health COVID-19 Coronavirus Webpage