Wilton Community Update: 1 New COVID Case, PURA Investigation, CT Broadband and Detailed Case Data

This the most recent update from Lynne Vanderslice 

Highlights from the CT DPH report as of 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, August 19th versus Tuesday, August 18th:
  • Wilton: 1 new case.  
  • Statewide: .95% of tests performed reported positive.
  • Hospitalized Patients: Statewide, 2-net patient decrease. Fairfield County, no change 
  • Deaths: Statewide, 2, Fairfield County, none

Earlier this week the Town filed motions with the Public Utility Regulatory Agency (PURA) to 1-be a participant in their investigation of Eversource’s response to Tropical Storm Iasias and 2-to request PURA impose statutory sanctions and/or penalties on Eversource.  Today, PURA informed us the proceedings have been designated as a “contested case”.  

As to the first motion, the Town has been designated an Intervenor in the proceedings. As such, the Town is allowed to submit evidence, put forward interrogatories, receive data and information files by the other Parties and Intervenors and file briefs. 

As to the second motion, PURA noted they may level civil penalties in a subsequent contested case. 

Today, I attended a meeting with Connecticut’s Commissioner of Economic and Community Development.  I asked him a question that I have been asked by many Wilton residents. What, if anything, is the State doing to improve broadband in Connecticut?  

Commissioner Lehman stated there is a state task force, but he acknowledged the task force requires greater urgency and focus.  He also noted the need for funding for public-private partnerships to move the effort forward. 

In late 2019, the State Legislature passed a bill that allowed for the formation of the Governor’s 5G Council in an effort to facilitate and accelerate the buildout of a statewide 5G network.  They do not appear to have met since January.  The pandemic appears to have diverted focus away from these efforts. 

The industry is focused on building out infrastructure for 5G services, which could serve as a substitute for traditional wired broadband.  

Detailed Case Data:

The CT Data Center reported the following for Wilton as of 8:30 p.m. August 19th and versus the dates prior to the start of Phase 1 and Phase 2:

  • 244 cases, 37 additional since June 16th and 44 since May 19th.
  • 3,279 residents tested, 2,129 since June 16th and 2,529 since May 19th.
  • 4,426 tests performed, 2,974 since June 16th .
  • 42 deaths, 1 since June 16th and 5 since May 19th.

CT DPH reported the following for Fairfield County and Statewide as of 8:30 p.m. August 19th:

  • 18,401 cases, 2,020 additional since 6/16      51,432 cases, 6,003 additional since 6/16
  • 1,410 deaths, 58 additional since 6/16           4,458 deaths, 239 additional since 6/16
  • 11 hospitalized, 57 less than 6/16                   47 hospitalized, 139 less than 6/16

“You have to have responsibility for yourself but also a societal responsibility that you’re getting infected is not just you in a vacuum.” Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and member of the White House Coronavirus Task Force.       

If you have any questions, the fastest way to reach me is through email at lynne.vanderslice@wiltonct.org.  If you tag me on Facebook, it will get lost within the high volume of notices I receive from Facebook.  

 

W
Submitted by Wilton, CT

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