Darien Police Department Battles Coronavirus Outbreak

DARIEN, CT — As the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread throughout Darien, the state and the nation, one of the town's essential services is finding it, too, is not immune.

Over the past month, eight members of the Darien Police Department have tested positive for COVID-19, Patch has learned.

As a result, the department has faced staffing challenges, but Captain Jeremiah Marron said Tuesday that residents do not need to worry, police services have not been adversely affected.

"Although we've adjusted some internal procedures and protocols to keep our staff and citizens safe, as always the Town of Darien remains in excellent hands from a public safety standpoint," Marron told Patch.

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As of Tuesday, some members have returned to work but a majority remain in required quarantine and isolation. Additionally, the department has a few "members out ill and are currently awaiting test results," Marron said.

In a message to residents over the weekend, Darien First Selectman Jayme Stevenson said there have been 66 new coronavirus cases in town since Nov. 13, and the positivity rate is 3.1 percent. Between Nov. 8 and Nov. 21, Darien's rate of infection was 28.9 per 100,000 people, according to state health officials

"The community can be confident that the level of service the police department has always provided will not be compromised," Marron told Patch.