© 2024 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY · WNPR
WPKT · WRLI-FM · WEDW-FM · Public Files Contact
ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Sporting Events, Family Gatherings Behind COVID Spread in Danbury

Mayor Mark Boughton says they getting ahead of recent Covid spike
Ali Warshavsky
/
WNPR
Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton says city officials are working to get ahead of a recent spike in coronavirus cases.

Danbury officials said Tuesday that contact tracing shows COVID-19 has spiked in the city due to residents traveling elsewhere in the U.S. and overseas, and now it’s now spreading within the community through sporting events and gatherings at religious institutions.

The city is on high alert after reporting 55 positive coronavirus tests on Friday and 22 on Monday. At a news conference Tuesday, Mayor Mark Boughton said the city has taken multiple measures to reduce the spread.    

“We really only have a week and a half to do it,” said Boughton. “Once a week and a half goes by, if you haven’t taken the right steps, if you haven’t done the right thing, it’s like a runaway freight train. That’s why we are here today.”

Boughton said the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will close the Lattins Cove boat launch at Candlewood Lake to stop younger residents from gathering and partying on boats. He also shut down fields and other sports facilities after seeing no social distancing or masks at a recent youth practice. 

Gov. Ned Lamont said the mayor is doing the right thing by reinstating these strict protocols.

“We are going to come down hard on upticks like this,” said Lamont. “We have had maybe 1 percent positivity throughout the state, and 6 or 7 percent in Danbury.”

Governor Ned Lamont said infection rates are not where they want them to be in Danbury before the start of the school year
Credit Ali Warshavsky / WNPR
/
WNPR
Gov. Ned Lamont said infection rates in Danbury are not where they should be before the start of the school year.

Boughton said some residents who have dual citizenship have been traveling internationally, and the virus is spreading within households. Although small family gatherings are permitted under state guidelines, residents are being asked to hold off for now.  

“We’ve seen barbecues with 10, 15 people, aunts and uncles, kids and parents,” said Boughton. “We’ve seen the spread going on there. So we’ve asked people, the governor’s asked people, to think twice about having those kinds of events until we get over the hump and get our arms around this.”

City officials are also urging residents to pick up their phones if contacted by the health department as contact tracing continues.

“If we have cooperation from everyone, then I believe that we can work together to stop the spread,” said acting Director of Public Health Kara Prunty. “We are really reminding everyone if they are feeling ill to really isolate from their family members in their homes and take precautions.”

Boughton said officials also have seen the virus spread mostly through the area that remained without power the longest after this month’s tropical storm. 

High school sports practices have been suspended in Danbury due to the spike, and the school district will not return to in-person learning until at least Oct. 1.  

Stand up for civility

This news story is funded in large part by Connecticut Public’s Members — listeners, viewers, and readers like you who value fact-based journalism and trustworthy information.

We hope their support inspires you to donate so that we can continue telling stories that inform, educate, and inspire you and your neighbors. As a community-supported public media service, Connecticut Public has relied on donor support for more than 50 years.

Your donation today will allow us to continue this work on your behalf. Give today at any amount and join the 50,000 members who are building a better—and more civil—Connecticut to live, work, and play.

Related Content