Coronavirus CT: All Girl Scouts Events Suspended

GREENWICH, CT — Girl Scouts across the state will have to miss out on activities like fire building and selling cookies from booths for the time being, as scout officials announced this week all Girl Scouts of Connecticut events and activities have been suspended until April 12 beginning Monday. The decision comes as the state, and the nation, grapples with the new coronavirus.

As of Friday afternoon, six Connecticut residents, as well as a New York resident treated in Connecticut and two hospital employees, have tested positive for the virus, also referred to as the COVID-19 virus.

Once April 12 arrives, the organization will reevaluate the situation and provide an update, officials said.

In an email sent to Girl Scouts across the state obtained by Patch, CEO Mary Barneby said the "difficult but important" decision was made in the best interest of every girl within the organization.

She also clarified the suspension includes service unit events and troop activities, in addition to Girl Scouts of Connecticut-sponsored events.

"We are evaluating our work practices and expect to provide an update in the coming days with additional guidance for staff," Barneby said in the email. "Our service centers will remain open at this time."

The organization's website further elaborates on events cancelled for the weekend of March 14-15, including:

• Boston Museum of Science Overnight
• Cadette Stamp Carving for Letterboxing
• Firebuilding for Cadettes
• Outdoor Cooking for Cadettes
• Mall Madness
• Pi Day
• The Girl Scout Museum Open House

Additionally, camp information nights at the Manchester Library on March 19 and at Camp Aspetuck in Weston on March 26 are canceled. Families are encouraged to attend the organization's open house on May 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to learn more about camp opportunities this summer.

Families are also urged to contact the organization's "Customer Care" department to transfer registrations to a future program or discuss refunds.

"In these challenging times, let's remember our promise to help others and our pledge to be a sister to every Girl Scout," Barneby said. "Our girls need us and our world needs them."

COVID-19 is caused by a member of the coronavirus family that's a close cousin to the SARS and MERS viruses that have caused outbreaks in the past.

On Sunday, a Wilton resident tested positive for the virus. The second Connecticut resident to test positive is a Bethlehem woman who is a heath care worker at Bridgeport Hospital, officials said.

On Wednesday, state officials announced that an elderly man from New Canaan tested positive for the virus. They also issued a stern warning that the number of cases is expected to significantly increase over the next week.

On Thursday, Greenwich Hospital revealed a New York resident who received treatment in the hospital's emergency department this week has tested positive for the virus. That same day, city officials announced a Stamford resident who recently returned from international travel had tested positive for the virus and was preemptively isolated at Stamford Hospital.

Later on Thursday, a person in Stratford became the fifth Connecticut resident to be diagnosed with the virus. The news came after officials announced earlier in the week that a Wilcoxson Elementary School student had been exposed to the virus and become ill.

On Friday, town officials announced the first confirmed case of the virus discovered in Westport. The two hospital employees are both New York residents and work at Danbury, Norwalk and Bridgeport hospitals.