Westport, Connecticut, health officials are monitoring a possible cluster of coronavirus cases.
Mark Cooper, director of health at the Westport Weston Health District, says there are at least two confirmed cases of COVID-19, the disease the virus causes.
“There is COVID-19 in the community, and we’re now concentrating our efforts on trying to make sure people do those things they can do best to protect themselves, their family and loved ones.“
The cases are connected to a bon voyage party last week attended by about 40 adults and children at a private home in Westport to send off an international house guest. The guest of honor tested positive when he returned to his home country days later.
Cooper’s office is in touch with the party attendees to arrange testing. Many have sought testing on their own. But Cooper advises anyone with flu-like symptoms to stay home and call their doctor.
“If you are just sick with COVID-19 sort of symptoms, not to just show up in their office, but to give them a call first. We don’t want to expose other people who may be in a physician's office. And we want to make sure that the physician is set up to be able to handle the COVID patient if that’s what they have.”
Health professionals say the best thing Westport residents can do to reduce their risk of infection is to wash their hands, cover coughs and avoid large groups.
