Norwalk Coronavirus Cases Jump By 49 In A Day: Mayor

NORWALK, CT — Forty-nine new coronavirus cases were reported in Norwalk as of Friday, according to Mayor Harry Rilling, bringing the total number of cases in the city since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in March to 2,451. No new deaths were reported, and that number stands at 149, according to health officials.

The city has been experiencing a spike in coronavirus cases since last weekend, but Rilling was quick to add that some of those newly reported cases might have been from a several days before; there can be a lag of when cases are entered into the health systems.

"This is obviously a large jump in cases from yesterday," Rilling said. "Please remember that test results can take a few days to be reported and uploaded into the state’s surveillance system but what we are seeing indicates there is more spread happening in Norwalk. Now is not a time to panic, but a time to double down on our testing and prevention efforts and remain vigilant."

Rilling urged residents to consider getting tested over the weekend and continue following public health guidelines.

Two Norwalk schools, Brien McMahon High School and the Center for Global Studies, were closed Friday, and students and staff worked remotely, due to several reported coronavirus cases at the schools.

"It is critically important that residents always wear face coverings, socially distance, wash their hands often, and stay home if they are not feeling well," he said. "These are known ways to help us slow the spread of this virus."

Connecticut is going through an increase in COVID-19 cases, which prompted state officials to list 11 communities on a "red" alert status. Norwalk was not on the list.

On Saturday, free drive-thru COVID-19 testing will be available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Stepping Stones Museum Parking Lot, on West Avenue. No appointment, insurance, symptoms, or doctor’s note is required to get tested, according to officials.

As a result, the courts and playground at Mathews Park will be closed for the day on Saturday.