Paul Bass Photo
Edgewood Park tennis courts on Wednesday.
A New Haven man in his late 50s has died from Covid-19, and separately the first case has been reported involving a resident of the Bella Vista senior housing complex.
Those were among the updates offered Wednesday afternoon at the latest daily Zoom press briefing held by Mayor Justin Elicker and top aides.
Health Director Maritza Bond reported that the man who died — whom they did not identify — had underlying medical conditions that may have contributed to his death.
He is the first New Havener to die of the disease.
Maritza Bond on Wednesday’s Zoom press briefing.
Bond said officials do not know where or how the man contracted the virus. “The individual works at several sites and interacted with many many people,” she said.
As of Wednesday afternoon the city has had 29 confirmed Covid-19 cases up from 16 a day earlier. Officials believe the true number of people infected is far higher, and will climb in coming days and weeks.
One of the new cases is an “elderly” person who lives at Bella Vista, according to Bond. The hospital is discharging the person “as we speak.” She said she has given Bella Vista “recommendations about the best way to get them back into the unit without increasing exposure.”
More broadly, Elicker said, he has spoken with Carabetta Management, which runs the complex, about keeping people there safe.
“Two thousand people live there,” Elicker noted. “It’s very important that Bella Vista residents take very seriously their role in reducing community spread.” Carabetta has increased cleaning at the complex, set up robocalls and posted signs to spread information about preventing the virus’s spread, and declared that residents may not have visitors except for health care workers or food or medical deliverers.
Other updates from the press conference:
• Schools Superintendent Iline Tracey said a survey revealed that 70 percent of students do not have laptops or other devices for online learning. The school system has distributed over 5,500 devices this week to jumpstart that process. “We also have to make sure where there are devices we are providing other supports for our students,” Tracey said.
Given that the governor now says schools will probably remained closed for the rest of the academic year, parents have been asking about graduation requirements. Tracey said she’s waiting on guidance from the state, which sets the rules.
• The city has been working with immigrant-rights activists John Lugo and Kica Matos to distribute Spanish-language materials to undocumented New Haveners about how to get help if they have Covid-19 symptoms. Fair Haven Health Center is also helping to make sure undocumented people get access to care, Elicker reported.
• Four firefighters who felt sick have been tested for Covid-19. The first two tests have come back negative, reported Fire Chief John Alston Jr. Police Chief Otoniel Reyes reported that two officers are being tested. One is not symptomatic, but his wife, a health care worker, tested positive. A second began displaying symptoms while on days off. Both are self-isolating.
• The city is working with Yale-New Haven Hospital on increasing security to prevent any subsequent departures by “flight risk” Covid-19 patients in the wake of an incident that occurred Sunday.
Parents: My kid never looks up from their phone!
Teachers: Students won't put away their devices in class!
Society: Today's children spend too much time on their screens!
...but 70% of New Haven kids do not have laptops or other devices for online learning?!?