West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor announced Friday afternoon that a resident has received a positive test for COVID-19.

By Ronni Newton

The first positive COVID-19 test of a West Hartford resident was announced Friday afternoon by Mayor Shari Cantor.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before there was a confirmed case in West Hartford, given that community spread has already been established in our region,” said Cantor said.

In a news release issued Friday afternoon, Cantor said the West Hartford-Bloomfield Health District conformed the town’s first case of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (”COVID-19”) in West Hartford.

“West Hartford is well prepared to deal with the influx of new cases, which is inevitable, Cantor said. We must assume that there are other cases already in our community at this time, and that the number will go up significantly. I am calling on all West Hartford residents to heed instructions by public health officials to ‘flatten the curve’ and slow the spread of the disease.”

Cantor said the resident is a female, between the ages of 20 and 30 years old.

Aimee Krauss, acting director of the Health District, said no further information can be disclosed due to privacy rules.

The woman will remain in isolation, and will be monitored regularly by the Health District. Contact tracing will be conducted in accordance with the State Department of Public Health guidelines.

Those who have had close contact with the resident will be instructed to self-quarantine, the news release states.

“If you have any symptoms of illness, including fever, cough or shortness of breath, you should not leave home except to receive medical care,” Krauss said in the release. “Stay in touch with your healthcare provider. Call before you get medical care. Be sure to get care if you feel worse or you think it is an emergency.”

“We urge all of our residents to stay at home to stop the spread of this disease,” Cantor told We-Ha.com. Please know tour municipal leaders and staff are working tirelessly to keep our residents safe and h healthy.”

Because there is no vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, avoiding exposure is the best way for individuals to protect themselves. Washing hands thoroughly and frequently, avoiding close contact with other people (stay 6 feet away if possible), and remaining home as much as possible are the best ways to minimize risk and stop the spread.

Town officials have been coordinating for months with the State of Connecticut and the Health District to ensure that a structure is in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. 

“I am so grateful to our town and school administration for their strong and steady leadership,” said Cantor. “Be well and be safe.”

More information about COVID-19 is also available on the town’s website, www.westhartfordct.gov/covid19. 

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