Stratford student ‘suspected’ to have coronavirus

Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford, Conn. Wilcoxson Elementary School in Stratford, Conn. Photo: Contributed Photo / Google Streetview Screenshot Photo: Contributed Photo / Google Streetview Screenshot Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Stratford student ‘suspected’ to have coronavirus 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

STRATFORD — A student at Wilcoxson Elementary School is being tested for coronavirus after possible contact with someone who tested positive for the virus, prompting the closure of the school for the remainder of the week.

During a press conference at Town Hall late Tuesday afternoon, town officials said the test results have not yet come back for the student, but that crews will clean the school Wednesday through Friday as a precaution.

The student is under the care of a health care provider, officials said.

The district also sent a letter home to parents and guardians letting them know about the closure.

“This person is connected to the Wilcoxson district only,” Stratford Superintendent of Schools Janet Robinson wrote. “No other schools are impacted, at this point in time. In the event other measures become necessary, we will communicate appropriately at that time.”

Robinson said the schools are working closely with the town’s health department to stay updated on the situation.

Officials were alerted to the possibility of a student having been exposed to the coronavirus by the state Department of Public Health, Robinson said.

Andrea Boissevain, the town’s health director, stressed that the student was “suspected of having COVID-19. It has not been confirmed yet.”

Officials declined to give identifying details about the student, like the age or gender. The school has 389 students from kindergarten to sixth grade, according to the school district.

Boissevain said the district had been planning for this kind of situation.

“It wasn’t really a matter of if COVID-19 was arriving in Stratford, it was a matter of when,” she said. “We are working to address this issue.”

Robinson said Wilcoxson will be cleaned this week and added that no other schools in town had been impacted as of Tuesday.

“We are bringing in folks ... for extensive cleaning and sanitation of that building,” Robinson said.

The town sent out some initial information during Gov. Ned Lamont’s press conference where he announced he would sign declarations enacting civil preparedness and public health emergencies to address the coronavirus outbreak.

If the Stratford student tests positive for coronavirus, he or she would become the third state resident to test positive and the first child. A Wilton man and Bethlehem woman, being treated at Danbury and Bridgeport hospitals, respectively, have tested positive. Two New York State residents, who work in Connecticut hospitals, have also tested positive for the virus.