First selectman explains Monroe’s revised COVID-19 numbers

The following is First Selectman Ken Kellogg’s explanation of the recently revised numbers for Monroe’s positive COVID-19 cases:

MONROE, CT — This week, the State Department of Public Health has been conducting what they have referred to as significant data validation and cleanup, which has resulted in changes in case totals across the state.

Many of these cases are from earlier test results, mostly from the beginning of this week. The state has explained that this cleanup was necessary due to the way certain lab data had been previously reported and entered into their system.

The state is currently reporting 50 laboratory-confirmed cases in Monroe. Sadly, they have also confirmed a second COVID-19 associated death of a Monroe resident. Again, our hearts go out to all the families that have lost loved ones to this terrible disease.

The Governor has indicated that he will soon sign an executive order requiring the use of cloth face coverings when in public and not able to maintain a safe distance from others. More information will be provided after his order is issued.

To assist those in our community that may have difficulty in obtaining or making their own homemade mask, our Community and Social Services Department will be establishing a donation box at the Senior Center starting next week. If you are able, please consider making and donating some homemade masks for your neighbors in need; we will be posting more information in the near future.

Despite some of the increase in cases coming from the state data cleanup, we clearly continue to see additional, newly diagnosed cases in Town and throughout Fairfield County. You may recall that nearly two weeks ago, state officials were predicting that we were perhaps a few weeks away from peaking in Fairfield County. While we hope this means we are approaching a plateau of new cases, that still remains to be seen.

What is clear is that our ongoing efforts to follow the current guidelines are the best way to reduce transmission of the virus. While we are all eager to resume our normal lives, we must continue to practice these safety precautions.

As always, I wish everyone good health.

— First Selectman Ken Kellogg