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03/17/2020 12:00 AMA student of the Grove School in Madison has tested positive for the coronavirus COVID-19, according to a release by First Selectman Peggy Lyons.
The student, a New York resident, was immediately transported to his home in New York after the initial onset of symptoms, according to the release, and the school was advised to close early for spring break.
Madison Health Director Trent Joseph told Zip06.com/The Source via email that the department was in touch with Grove School leadership related to the case, and guidelines provided by the health department “ultimately initiated the process to have the student tested.”
The school was originally scheduled to recess for two weeks of spring holiday at the end of this week, according to its website.
The Grove School is a private boarding school focusing on therapeutic as well as college preparatory education, according to its website, and serves approximately 130 students.
President and CEO of the Grove School Richard Chorney told Zip06.com/The Source via email he could not answer any questions about the student due to privacy laws, but that the school earlier had “put a plan in place” when they realized “this health issue would likely come to America.”
“We closed the school early out of an abundance of caution for the safety of our students, our staff, and community at large,” he said.
Lyons had previously told Zip06.com/The Source that the town has been operating under the assumption that there are undiagnosed cases of the coronavirus in town, based on conversations with the state Department of Health.
Joseph told Zip06.com/The Source that Madison does not currently have coronavirus test kits of its own, which have been in short supply across the country. Connecticut has expanded drive-through testing sites, he said, with locations in Greenwich, Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport, Yale New Haven Hospital, Saint Francis Hospital, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Danbury, Bristol, and Waterbury, with more will be added.
Residents must be referred by their doctor to be tested at one of these sites, Joseph said, with priority given to people who are hospitalized, older adults with chronic illnesses, or people who have been in “close contact with lab-confirmed” cases of the virus.
In response to a question about how people who may have been in close contact with the Grove School student were being notified, Joseph said the health department and the school had “a protocol in place,” and that communication “will continue to be a team effort.”
In March 17 release, she again reiterated the principles of social distancing and taking seriously the warnings and advice of public health experts.
“Every resident of Madison, no matter their age or circumstances, should take personal responsibility for themselves, their family and their neighbors, by limiting physical contact with individuals outside of their family,” she said in the release.
With a statewide closure of restaurants, movie theaters, and other public gathering places, and with the federal government warning against any gatherings of more than 10 people, Lyons took a moment to remind people to stay close with family and loved ones through technology, and continue to stay in touch with community members whenever possible.
“[S]tay connected and provide support to each other in these difficult times, especially those who might be socially isolated,” she said.
Lyons also encouraged residents to continue to support local businesses when possible while still practicing social distancing.