Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim announced that Fairfield County is at risk of a COVID-19 outbreak, according to a statewide alert system for cities and towns.

Ganim was joined by Sen. Richard Blumenthal and members of the local health care community to make the announcement Saturday. He says the COVID Alert System for Connecticut tracks the number of cases in every part of the state, and that Fairfield County was flagged as being "at risk of an outbreak."

Officials say the change is tied to the increased number of COVID-19 cases in Danbury, and there is no evidence of an increase in Bridgeport or any other parts of western Connecticut.

However, they say it is important, in light of the alert, for every person in the region to observe strict safety protocols, such as wearing masks and observing social distancing.

Dr. Gary Blick, who has treated many patients with COVID-19, says the alert - a tool developed by the Connecticut Department of Health - could end up saving lives by letting local leaders know about regional spikes in COVID-19 cases.

Ganim says his recommendations are based on the latest information from state and local health authorities.

The head of the Bridgeport Health Department says, "We must take this alert seriously in order to prevent a surge in Bridgeport. We have had over 4,000 positive cases to date, and new cases in people younger than 19 are outpacing other age groups."