Coronavirus Case Rise In Bethel Is A Family Affair: Knickerbocker

BETHEL, CT — The town is "feeling the effect of Thanksgiving travel" as coronavirus case numbers climbed by 145 cases over the past week, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said.

Knickerbocker made his remarks during Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton's semi-weekly Facebook livestream on Thursday evening.

There are 819 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in town as of Dec. 09, according to the state Department of Public Health. Thirty-three residents have died from the virus since the start of the pandemic, with two deaths occurring in the past seven days.

Knickerbocker made it clear that restaurants and retail operations were not the source of the new coronavirus spread.

"Where the transmissions are occurring are in family get togethers," the first selectman said. "And we know that's tough."

Knickerbocker is urging residents to "make yourselves safe from your own family members to get through this season, and then we can all celebrate together next year."

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The First Selectman said he understands how difficult it may be to isolate from family members, as this is the first year he will not be spending Thanksgiving or Christmas with his grandchildren since they were born.

Knickerbocker said he had a health scare a week ago. A fever sent him in for COVID-19 testing and to his doctor for a check-up. He isolated himself in his home until he was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

"There is a light at the end of the tunnel. A vaccine is coming," Knickerbocker said. "All we gotta do is get through one more tough winter."

Knickerbocker said the town was in the beta testing phase of a new online system, intended to speed up the permitting for Public Works, Building, Land Use and Health Departments. When it becomes available, residents will be able to apply and pay for town permits over the internet. The first selectman said the town was about two months away from the official roll-out.