WCSU delays return to campus for two weeks as more COVID-19 cases found in Danbury

Posted: Aug 21, 2020 / 08:28 PM EDT

Updated: Aug 24, 2020 / 12:18 PM EDT

DANBURY, Conn. (WTNH) — Western Connecticut State University has delayed the return to campus residence halls for at least two weeks.

This announcement comes as the Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a COVID-19 alert for Danbury Friday after a significant increase in cases within the last two weeks.

WCSU students will start their classes online on Aug. 26. Students who have already moved into campus must stay on campus for the next two weeks.

Between Aug. 2–22, Danbury recorded at least 185 new COVID-19 cases.

On Saturday evening, Mayor Mark Boughton confirmed seven new cases. And thankfully, no new deaths.

Officials said the cases are mainly related to recent domestic and international travel.

The department is reminding people about the state’s travel quarantine, adding that the CDC recommends anyone returning from international travel from countries with the widespread transmission of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for the same period of time.

“This is a serious outbreak in Danbury and we really need an all hands on deck approach. We need everyone in Danbury to take extreme precaution,” said Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, MD MPH. “We appreciate the partnership with municipal and health department leadership in Danbury, as well as health care providers that have testing sites available for members of the community. We are urging anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to get tested as soon as possible, stay home until your test results are known and stay at home for 10 days if you test positive.”

DPH is coordinating with municipal and local health officials in Danbury to get the word out among community centers and churches to take extra precautions.

Those precautions include: