Darien Placed On 'Orange Alert' Due To Rise In Coronavirus Cases

DARIEN, CT — Darien has been placed on orange alert status, as the town's coronavirus cases rise, according to state health officials.

Between Oct. 18 and Oct. 31, the town reported a total of 36 coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, which translates to 11.8 cases per 100,000 people, state officials said.

Connecticut has a color-coded, four-tier alert system as it relates to COVID-19. The lowest level, gray, is for communities with less than five cases per 100,000. Next is yellow, with between five and 10 cases; followed by orange, with between 10 and 14 cases.

The highest level, red, is for communities with 15 or more coronavirus cases per 100,000. Norwalk, Stamford, Bridgeport, Stratford and Danbury are among the 68 Connecticut communities now on red status.

New Canaan and Westport are among the towns also placed on orange alert status. In a letter to residents on Thursday, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson and town officials urged people to stay vigilant in the fight against the coronavirus.

With cases rising throughout the state, Gov. Ned Lamont is rolling back re-opening efforts from phase 3 to a modified version of phase 2. Additionally, the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference announced Thursday that it was delaying the start of the winter sports season due to the uptick in cases statewide.

Under phase 2.1, restaurants will return to 50 percent capacity, and they, movie theaters and entertainment venues must close by 9:30 p.m., among other restrictions.