Westport confirms first case of coronavirus

Officials say several parents and students may have been exposed to coronavirus last week after a patient with the virus attended a party.

News 12 Staff

Mar 11, 2020, 9:12 PM

Updated 1,513 days ago

Share:

Westport health officials confirmed the town's first coronavirus case Friday, one they say was not a surprise.
Earlier this week, officials originally said several parents and students may have been exposed to coronavirus last week after a patient with the virus attended a party.
First Selectman Jim Marpe says the person who has the virus is from out of the country and was visiting Westport. He says the exposure took place at a going away party in town for this person.
"We will find out as best we can everybody who was at this party and start that process of contacting them, assessing their health, to try to make sure we can reduce the spread as much as possible,” says Marpe.
The patient says he didn't start feeling sick until he got home and then was diagnosed with coronavirus.
Around 40 people were at the party and 14 of them are showing symptoms of the virus. It is unclear how many of them are Westport students and parents.
All schools in Westport are closed until further notice. The school says the building will be thoroughly cleaned. Town Hall and the library are also closed.
Several other schools have closed due to students being exposed to the virus. Some schools have closed out of an abundance of caution.
Fairfield and Stamford announced that their school districts will close Friday until further notice.
Schools in New Canaan, Wilton, Weston, Darien and Greenwich are closed. Lauralton Hall in Milford, Wilcoxson Elementary in Stratford, King School in Stamford, and Easton Country Day in Easton are also closed.
Bridgeport schools dismissed early Thursday, so the building could be cleaned.
For school districts not closed, teachers say they have been prepping for at-home learning by either starting late or dismissing early, should there be long-term closures.
The Easton-Redding Region 9 district had a two-hour delay Thursday. Students in Norwalk had the day off to give time for teachers to prep.
 
PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world
undefined
 


More from News 12
3:36
Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

Traffic Alert: I-95 closed until at least Monday in Norwalk. Here's how the tanker fire is affecting the area.

1:35
Dry with temperatures back in the 60s; rain is on the way for Connecticut

Dry with temperatures back in the 60s; rain is on the way for Connecticut

1:19
Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

Man who oversaw cleanup of I-95 Bridgeport crash in 2004 reflects on Norwalk fire

2:26
Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

Gov. Lamont declares state of emergency in response to the I-95 tractor-trailer fire

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

10 organizations to donate to in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

3:14
Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

Visit Ridgefield, Connecticut's first 'cultural district' in the state

2:39
Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

Racist social media posts ignite outrage in Wilton community

  Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

Police: Apparent grenade found in Bridgeport

0:36
Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

Live Nation Concert Week offers $25 tickets to over 5,000 shows

2:22
Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

Do you constantly reuse the same username and password? 6 steps to help safeguard your online accounts

0:35
Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

Mets foundation partners with America's Vet Dogs to raise future service dog

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

2:14
Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

Investigation underway after 4 dogs die in Milford car fire

0:32
 Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

Police: Meriden man accused of suffocating victim in front of her child

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:24
Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

Charges upgraded to father of 2-year-old found buried in a shallow grave in 2023

0:36
'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

'Difficult decision.' UConn president addresses arrests of students and encampment teardown

0:39
Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

Jonathan Cubit visits students at Franklin Elementary School in Stratford

1:38
Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

Scholar Athlete: Keira Cunniffe

1:48
Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency

Volunteers prep for Minks to Sinks sale to benefit Family and Children's Agency