State Places Westport On Coronavirus Red Alert Status: Map

WESTPORT, CT — As coronavirus cases continue to rise throughout Connecticut, Westport has been placed on red alert status, the highest level, according to state health officials. Statewide, 100 communities have been placed on red alert status, up from 68 the previous week.

Red alert means that a community is experiencing more than 15 coronavirus (COVID-19) cases per 100,000 people. In the two weeks prior to Nov. 12, Westport had 35 coronavirus cases in the first week and 53 in the second week, according to state health officials (see the interactive map below).

As a result, the case rate per 100,000 in New Canaan is 22.4, officials said. The town was under orange alert between Oct. 18 and Oct. 31, with a case rate of 13.3 per 100,000. Orange status is between 10 and 14 cases per 100,000.

"The colors are meant to give communities an accurate account of the prevalence of COVID-19 so that appropriate personal precautions can be managed," said Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe.

With coronavirus cases on the rise, Westport Public Schools has placed a few schools on a remote learning schedule, and the town is limiting some activities at its parks:

• Fields, beaches and parks will remain open with reinstituted rules regarding court usage. Facility users are expected wear a face covering if a 6-foot distance cannot be maintained with those who do not live in the same household. Higher risk sports, such as boy’s lacrosse and 11-on-11 football, should not take place.
• The Compo Beach skatepark and basketball courts will remain open but may be closed if proper guidelines are not followed.
• The Longshore Golf Course remains open. Beginning tomorrow, Saturday, November 14, golf cart rentals will go back to single rider only (unless in same household).
• The Parks & Recreation Department has revoked field permits and will not issue new permits until further notice.

"The ability for our schools to remain open for in-person learning is dependent on the actions of our entire community," Marpe said earlier this week. "I continue to urge all residents to follow the appropriate public health protocols so that our community can remain open, but safe. Please refrain from contact sports, wear a mask, social distance, avoid gatherings and practice good hygiene. Residents are strongly urged to avoid gatherings where adherence to social distancing and mask wearing cannot be accomplished."

Under red alert status, the state Department of Public Health recommends the following precautions:

• High risk individuals stay home and stay safe.
• Others should limit trips outside of the home and avoid gatherings with non-family members.
• Organized indoor activities, as well as outdoor activities where social distancing and mask wearing cannot be maintained, should be postponed.
• Gatherings at private residences are limited to 10 people.