Town of Fairfield News
4/23/2020 - 4.23 COVID-19 UPDATE
Good Afternoon Fairfielders,
The most recently published data shows Connecticut has 22,469 positive cases, 1,544 deaths, and 1,972 hospitalizations. Fairfield County has 9,883 confirmed cases and 584 associated deaths.
The Town of Fairfield has 334 residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 and a total of 38 of our residents have lost their lives. Of the 334 residents who have tested positive in Fairfield, 117 have reported that they have fully recovered.
You can watch our press conference from today by clicking on the image below. |
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Fairfield's Case Rates
Our early efforts as a community to protect each other and stay apart is making a difference. According to the CT Department of Public Health (DPH), Fairfield's case rate is 538 per hundred thousand. This is lower than 18 other towns in Fairfield County. Only Easton, Monroe and Newtown have lower case rates. Fairfield currently has the lowest case rate of all Fairfield County coastal towns in the I-95 Metro North corridor.
DPH clarified yesterday that larger increases seen yesterday and Monday were due to reporting issues by the State resulting in additional cases from multiple days of testing being reported on those days. These days are not indicative of spikes in cases but more so of data issues. On these days Fairfield had increased 39 and 33 cases respectively. Outside of those dates, Fairfield’s average increase was 11.2 cases per day for the most recent 10 days. |
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Planning Our Recovery - Open Spaces
I am working on a plan with our emergency management team to lift some restrictions placed on our outdoor and open spaces. The details will be announced early next week. The approach we are taking is data driven and will not be governed by emotions. What I do want residents to know is that we will be limiting access to certain town spaces to Fairfield residents only. I encourage all of you to get your 2020 beach stickers if you haven’t yet. You can purchase them online and they will be mailed to you.
Stay Safe - Wear a Mask
Any person in public who cannot maintain a six foot distance away from others, must cover their nose and mouth with a mask or face covering. The town of Fairfield urges residents to avoid interaction with members outside their household.
Helpful Resources
Contained below in this email is new information and resources linked to help residents navigate this pandemic as well as some surveys which will help our business community. I encourage you to browse through the bottom of this email.
The Fairfield State Delegation is hosting a zoom webinar tomorrow at 12 p.m. to discuss testing, the federal response, unemployment and mental health. Details are included below.
Please, stay home, stay safe, and let's continue to flatten the curve. We can get through this together if we stay apart.
Sincerely,
Brenda L. Kupchick
First Selectwoman |
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The Fairfield COVID-19 Relief Fund was established to provide limited, one-time assistance to Fairfield residents who have been adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Use of the funds must be directly related to the effects of the virus. Donate to the fund or apply for relief by visiting www.fairfieldct.org/covidrelieffund
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BUSINESSES
 The Town of Fairfield in partnership with the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce seeks local businesses to respond to a survey. Please complete the survey by April 24th.
For more information on state and federal support for businesses, click here. The Small Business Owner’s Guide to the Federal CARES Act, click here.
Paycheck Protection Program: A message from Congressman Himes:
The Paycheck Protection Program is a lifeline for businesses to keep employees on the payroll. On April 16, the program ran out of money with far too many small businesses unable to access it - evidence that small businesses and their employees in our communities are hurting and need additional relief. This bill both refills the coffers of the PPP with an additional $310 billion and sets aside $60 billion for financial institutions like credit unions, CDFIs and Minority Deposit Institutions to give smaller businesses without traditional banking relationships a fighting chance to access this support. If you are a small business owner who applied for the PPP and did not receive money, check with your financial institution on whether you need to reapply. The demand for these funds is incredibly high, and I urge you to be prepared once the bill is signed into law to be ready to apply quickly.
You can find more information about federal and state programs on the state’s coronavirus website.
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GROCERY BAGS AVAILABLE TO SENIORS
The Southwestern Connecticut Agency on Aging (SWCAA), in partnership with Fairfield Social Services and participating Fairfield Senior and Disabled Housing sites, is providing groceries to seniors 60 and older. Seniors who are deemed by the CDC to be at greatest risk of serious complications from the COVID-19 virus if they leave their homes to grocery shop. The program is available for seniors who do not have any means of accessing groceries or do not have family who can shop for them. The Grocery Distribution program comes from the CARES Act and the Tuft’s Health Plan Foundation, the Griswold Foundation and the Fairfield County Community Foundation and is administered by SWCAA.
Each pre-packaged grocery bag provides a one-week supply of shelf-stable items as well as fresh produce, eggs, butter, bread and toilet paper. No-contact drive-through pick-up will be available at the Bigelow Center for those who do not reside at participating Senior and Disabled Housing sites. Some limited delivery is available for individuals who meet certain physical and transportation qualifications.
To sign up for this program please call 203-256-3169. For residents of Senior and Disabled Housing sites, please register with the resident care coordinator or staff. All individuals must pre-register in advance. Some basic demographic information is required as the funds are made available by the Federal Government Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. There is no financial requirement to be eligible and Meals-on-Wheels recipients are able to receive a bag in addition to their meals. Please note that supplies are limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis. |
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DOCUMENT HISTORY 
The Fairfield Museum is documenting history as it happens. Share your thoughts, feelings and memories during COVID-19 and help make history. Complete it here. |
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UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS
The Fairfield Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Zoom Meeting - What you need to know about Paid Leave and Unemployment on Friday, April 24 from 10-11. Register here.
If you become unemployed due to coronavirus (COVID-19), you should file for unemployment benefits. Click here for more information. For frequently asked questions about coronavirus (COVID-19) for workers and employers click here.
The Department of Labor FAQ may help. Click here. |
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LOCAL TAXES
Tax Deferment: Any real estate, motor vehicle, personal property or sewer taxes that became due on April 1st will not be considered delinquent if paid by July 1st. Also, all taxes that become due on July 1st will not be considered delinquent if paid by October 1st. Please note that Fairfield landlords can learn more about how to qualify by contacting the tax collector's office. For anyone with questions, please click here or call 203.256.3100.
Senior & Disabled Tax Relief: The Governor recently issued Executive Order 7S which includes a provision to eliminate the refiling requirement for those applicants due to refile this year. If you were due to refile this year, you were notified by mail in February. As a result of this Executive Order, you are no longer required to come into our office to refile. In addition we will be mailing you a notice to confirm that you do not need to refile this year.
If you are seeking the benefit for the first time you will need to apply. Please contact the office at 203-256-3110. |
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MORTGAGE RELIEF
The state has provided a FAQ which is a resource to help answer many of your questions about unemployment, mortgage relief and more. Please read it here. The Governor provided information on mortgage payment relief with over 50 credit unions and banks to help residents and businesses impacted by COVID-19. Participating financial institutions are now offering mortgage-payment forbearances of up to 90 days. |
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BIGELOW CENTER FOR SENIOR ACTIVITIES
The Bigelow Center At-Home Newsletter is now available. It’s filled with COVID-19 Resources, assistance available at Social Services, as well as online activities to keep you busy as you’re safely at home.
Fairfield Social Services is partnering with Operation to operate a mobile food pantry. Fairfield Social Services/Bigelow Center is also providing home-delivered lunches to frail and at-risk seniors.
For more information and eligibility, please call Social Services 203-256-3170. |
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PUBLIC SAFETY REQUESTS
In an Emergency, please Dial 911. Our Police and Fire Departments remain fully staffed, ready and able to respond to any emergency.
For non-emergency complaints or requests for service, please utilize the phone numbers below:
Police: (203) 254-4800
Fire: (203) 254-4700 |
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COVID-19 TESTING
Governor Lamont today announced the State of Connecticut has formed a partnership with CVS Health in an initiative that will make free, rapid COVID-19 tests available to eligible Connecticut residents. Learn more here.
At this time, testing priority is given to those who are high risk. For more information on testing sites and protocols click here or visit www.fairfieldct.org/covid19.
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GROCERY STORES
We are in continued communication with grocery store managers in town and have spoken with state officials. The Governor put out an executive order which requires all retail establishments that have been allowed to remain open to ensure six feet of distance between customers and employ touchless payment technology wherever available. It also suspends the tax on single-use checkout plastic bags and prohibits employers from requiring employees to place items in customers' reusable bags. Refer to our website for more information. |
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RESTAURANTS 
Fairfield is lucky to have countless restaurants that have altered their businesses to provide take out, delivery and curbside pick up.
Click on the image to the right view the full listing.
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TOWN GOVERNMENT
Each department will have new guidelines as to how you can reach them on various services. Please visit this summary page for an overview and follow links to specific departments for more information. |
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IMPORTANT SEWER NOTICE FROM WPCA
Please DO NOT flush rubber gloves, disinfectant wipes (or any type of wipes), paper towels, facial tissue or any materials other than toilet paper down your toilet as they are NOT designed to break down in the wastewater treatment process. |
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FAIRFIELD PUBLIC LIBRARY: OPEN ONLINE!
Did you know the Fairfield Library has digital resources, instant cards and can answer questions remotely? They also have virtual programs. Follow them on Facebook or visit their website!
Sign up for the library newsletter here. |
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HELP FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS
The Center for Family Justice closed its main Bridgeport offices in  response to the COVID-19 pandemic but staff is now working remotely to serve clients in crisis.
The hotline numbers are:
Domestic Violence: 203-384-9559
Sexual Violence: 203-333-2233
Spanish Hotline: 888-568-8332 |
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2020 CENSUS
While you are home, to please complete the 2020 Census. We need your participation. You can complete it online, on the phone or by mail. Click here to find out how. |
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Important COVID-19 Links:
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Contact Information:
For general questions you can call 211
Hartford HealthCare’s COVID-19 Clinical Command Center hotline, staffed by healthcare professionals, is now available to the community. To reach the 24-hour hotline, call 860.972.8100 or (toll-free) 833.621.0600.
YNHH has a call center number it’s 1-833-ASK YNHH that’s open from 7am - 7pm.
For additional information and prevention tips, refer to the Health Department website at: www.fairfieldct.org/health or the Fairfield homepage under news at www.fairfieldct.org. |
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PREVIOUS COVID-19 UPDATES:
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