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A Fairfield County hospital worker who lives in Westchester County is the first case of the novel coronavirus confirmed in Connecticut.
"Tonight we learned that an employee from Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital, who is a resident of New York State, has tested positive for coronavirus," Gov. Ned Lamont said at a press conference in Danbury on Friday night, March 6.
Connecticut health authorities said they believe the woman became infected in New York. Because the source was started in New York, the case is being counted in New York State's total, which is now 45 confirmed cases, with 35 in Westchester.
All of the New York cases are in the NYC metropolitan area, with all the Westchester cases linked to the county's first patient, a 50-year-old attorney who lives in New Rochelle.
The rest of the cases in New York are in New York City: (4), Nassau County (4) and Rockland County (2).
The hospital worker is back home in Westchester where she is self-quarantining.
Forty-two others were tested for the COVID-19 virus in Connecticut, with all those results coming back negative.
“This unfortunate news highlights the need for heightened preparedness – swift and strategic action to prevent COVID-19 from spreading further," Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) said in a statement. "The CDC should immediately provide Connecticut with tests already promised now more necessary than ever.
"Other federal support should follow, such as reimbursement for local and state expenses, assistance for local health officials and first responders, and aid for small businesses.
"My thoughts are with the patient and prayers for a swift and complete recovery.”
Worldwide, cases of the COVID-19 virus have surpassed 100,000.
For more info on the coronavirus, check the Centers for Disease Control site.
This is a developing story. Check back to Daily Voice for updates.
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