Mayor Considers Shelter-In-Place Order

New Haven’s Elicker administration is considering an emergency shelter-in-place order to protect the city from the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus, but hasn’t made any decision yet on whether to proceed with it.

New Haven attorney Norm Pattis vowed to fight such an order if issued, both at the local and federal levels.

Mayor Justin Elicker revealed the consideration of the order Tuesday afternoon during his latest daily press briefing outside City Hall.

“We’re looking at all options. As everyone knows the situation is developing very quickly,” Elicker said. He alluded to shelter-in-place orders in the six California counties that bar people from leaving their homes except for ​“essential” reasons.

“California was quite pro-active. That’s one of the options that we are exploring. But we have not made any decision.”

New York City is also considering a shelter-in-place order, though New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is not on board.

In an email alert sent out late Thursday evening, Elicker reiterated that he is ​“strongly considering other orders to require people not to congregate.”

“I am strongly advising you to stay home and to only go out of the home to the grocery store, for medical supplies or other essential trips,” he wrote. ​“I am urging all employers within New Haven to close their offices unless they are providing an essential service. This advice is not to be taken lightly. We are seeing many more positive cases for COVID-19 in our State and must learn from those communities who are now suffering. By traveling about and congregating, you are putting the health of others at risk. And if they get this disease, they could die.”

Attorney Norm Pattis said his office is preparing to go to state court to fight such an order if Elicker issues one, and to federal court (on behalf of Infowars’ Alex Jones) if President Trump issues a similar order for the nation.

“I hope the mayor is not considering a lockdown. We have plaintiffs prepared to challenge such an order,” Pattis told the Independent.

“I understand the need for a powerful public health response to the crisis, but this isn’t China.”

Pattis called the right to travel ​“a fundamental right under the state and federal Constitution” that has ​“rarely been tested in the courts. We would welcome the opportunity to seek whether the Bill of Rights has teeth in a time of crisis.”

Push For Online Prayer

Meanwhile, Elicker repeated frustration at the continuation of prayer services, some of them quite large, in some local houses of worship despite pleas to avoid such gatherings. He urged congregations to go online with services.

Based on his conversations with pastors, Elicker said, ​“we realized this past weekend that we need to do much more work in that area,” but ​“people are really starting to get it.”

City Health Director Maritza Bond said she has been holding group calls with Latino pastors to try to communicate the message.

(Click here to read an article by one pastor, the Rev. Samuel T. Ross-Lee of Immanuel Baptist Church, about why his congregation did decide not to hold services.)

At the press conference, Elicker said he visited the Bella Vista senior housing complex today along with Health Director Bond to check on how seniors are doing. Overall, ​“we were generally happy with what we saw,” Elicker said. But he was concerned that ​“some people continue to visit Bella Vista who don’t live there.” He noted that seniors are a prime risk group for serious reactions to the conoravirus.

Elicker also said the police department is reducing the number of people held in the pre-detention lock-up at the police station in order to try to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

On the day that Yale New Haven Health opened a drive-up coronavirus testing facility at 150 Sargent Dr., the mayor reported that his health department is working on a plan to include people who lack health care providers in the process. To obtain a test, people need a prescription from a health care provider.

He said the health department is also working on improving access to the center for people without cars. He said the health department has offered volunteers from the Medical Reserve Corps to assist people in the testing center.

“We anticipate we will quickly see a rise in cases around the region” now that testing is in place, Elicker said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, New Haven had three confirmed positive COVID-19 cases — the same number that the city had on Monday.

An earlier version of this story follows:

COVID-19 Updates: 3 Confirmed Cases; Drive-Thru Testing Readied; Focus Turns To Seniors, Homeless

Cops will begin virtual shift line-ups, Yale-New Haven will start ​“drive-through” testing, signs will go up at playgrounds preaching ​“social distancing,” and City Hall is focusing on keeping people safe at homeless shelters and nursing homes.

Those were among the latest developments Mayor Justin Elicker announced Monday afternoon as the city scrambles to contain the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Elicker also issued a plea to people to avoid gatherings and keep their distance: ​“Do you know 100 people?” he asked. ​“Do you want three of those people to die?”

Elicker made those remarks and offered those updates at a 2:30 p.m. press briefing outside City Hall, a day after he declared a state of emergency in New Haven and closed City Hall to the public indefinitely.

Among his updates:

• New Haven has three confirmed cases of COVID-19, but the real number is believed to be considerably greater.

• The city will have a better handle on the real number as testing increases. Yale New Haven Hospital is about to announce that it is instituting a ​“drive-through” testing option similar to one at Hartford Hospital, reported Health Director Maritza Bond, with a vow to make sure people of all incomes have access to it.

• A city team, including school nurses currently not at schools, is working with senior facilities to evaluate how to keep residents there safe. Seniors are considered the most vulnerable to severe reactions to the novel coronavirus. Elicker called that ​“my biggest concern right now.” ​“Our team is working feverishly to ensure that we can as best as possible protect people in those situations and support individuals that are running these facilities,” he said.

• Similarly, his team is working on a strategy to help homeless individuals self-isolate if they contract the virus; to make more room at homeless shelters for people to spread out; and to add port-o-potties near free-food distribution centers that are now offering only take-out rather than dine-in services.

• Elicker said his administration decided not to close playgrounds, for fear that families would then gather indoors in closer groupings; but will instead post signs urging people not to get too close to each other at playground facilities.

• The police department’s shift changes will now move to virtual rather than in-person line-up announcements.

• The mayor’s administration is in the process of assessing which city employees can work at a safe distance to return to offices in City Hall; and developing telecommuting options. The building was closed to the public Monday indefinitely and all non-essential employees told not to report to the office.

At the update, Elicker was asked about criticism from some black and Hispanic ministers that his call to have people stay away from church and his closure of child care centers serving more than 12 kids are inequitably hurting the poor.

Responding to a message he has heard from some ministers, Elicker noted that the churches rely on in-person contributions from parishioners to stay in business. He urged people to donate money to their churches online.

“Churches rely on church services to help fund their rent,” he said, asking people to ​“support the very groups that help us through these times.”

“This is an awful situation. There are no easy answers to this. It is very clear from an economic perspective, our pain now will reduce the pain we feel later,” Elicker said.

“This pandemic is bringing us apart physically. But it is bringing us together spiritually and emotionally. This is not the time to close your wallets.”

When asked about what the city is doing to support local restaurants, bars, gyms, and other venues that will have to shutter in response to Gov. Ned Lamont’s Wednesday morning order, Elicker said that city Economic Development Administrator Michael Piscitelli has been having conversations with state Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner David Lehman about ​“how we can make sure that we locally and at the state and federal levels support our local businesses.”

On March 13, DECD announced that the agency will defer approximately $5 million in loan payments for all Small Business Express loans for three months.

“[I]f your small business needs assistance, please call DECD’s business hotline at 860 – 500-2333,” Lehman is quoted as saying in a Friday Facebook post by the city’s economic development department. ​“We will continue to work closely with our federal, state and municipal partners, as well as business leaders, to respond quickly and efficiently to this crisis.”

“There are no easy answers,” Elicker continued Monday. ​“The city doesn’t have a lot of money that we can dole out right now.”

An earlier version of this story follows.

Elicker Issues Emergency Declaration; Some Churches Packed; City Hall Closes To Public

As New Haven reported a second confirmed and third presumed case of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Mayor Justin Elicker issued a state of emergency to ramp up the city’s response and pressed religious leaders to stop holding services — a plea that was not universally heeded.

Those were among the latest developments Sunday in the fast-moving public health crisis as it sweeps into the city.

In issuing the state of emergency, Elicker announced City Hall will close to the public indefinitely starting Monday. Only ​“essential” city employees will report to work.

“Over the next several days, our team will be evaluating our employee safety and operations protocol, in addition to increasing options for teleworking where possible. If you are a member of the business community, I strongly encourage you to have only essential employees report to work, provide options for employees to telework and do what you can to support paid leave and reduce any chance of further spread of COVID-19,” Elicker stated in a release.

The Board of Alders does have a full meeting scheduled for Monday night. As of Sunday afternoon, it was still on. The mayor and board leadership held a conference call Sunday to discuss the meeting; Elicker said the hall will be thoroughly cleaned before the meeting, and social distancing maintained.

“The Board of Alders will meet tomorrow evening to conduct regular business and will take every recommended precaution as advised by the Health Department. We will review protocol for subsequent meetings and make any necessary adjustments,” board Majority Leader Richard Furlow reported in a statement issued Sunday.

The meeting will be live-streamed for the public via the Zoom video conferencing online service. Click here to access the meeting online when it starts Monday evening at 6:30.

The mayor said in an interview late Sunday afternoon that the emergency declaration will allow the city to take whatever restrictive measures become necessary in coming days.

For instance, the city has to figure out how to deal with homeless people who become infected with the coronavirus. One possibility — not yet a plan — might include reserving hotel rooms where homeless individuals sickened by the virus can self-isolate.

“Our team is working to address that problem as fast as possible,” Elicker said.

Meanwhile, he reported that officials have confirmed a second case of a New Haven resident with COVID-19. That person is being hospitalized at Yale New Haven, as is a third person who hasn’t been tested but is showing clear symptoms and is a ​“presumptive” case. The first New Haven case, involving a Yale New Haven Health official, was announced on Friday.

(The text of the emergency order appears further down in this story.)

Religious Concerns

The emergency order does not include directives about religious services. But the mayor is concerned about that as well.

On Saturday night, Elicker also issued a public statement asking people not to attend church services. He noted that outbreaks in South Korea and in New Rochelle ​“exploded because of religious services.”

“The great irony of this virus is that it is bringing us spiritually together by forcing us to physically stay apart,” Elicker wrote.

Religious services did take place throughout the city this weekend, though attendance dropped at many venues, and some did cancel. Religious leaders are now weighing partial or full closures.

Some churches were packed.

Elicker urged leaders of those congregations to work with the city to save lives.

“A lot of people are not taking our directions seriously. This is people’s civic duty,” Elicker said in the interview Sunday.

“If people feel like they’re of a certain age they’re not going to be as heavily impacted, and that’s why they’re attending these events, that is deeply irresponsible. Each one of us has the power to help spread this or contain it. It’s up to each one of us to help save the lives of the people who are most vulnerable.”

At Varick AME Zion, the three Sunday Sabbath services drew about 125 people each, according to the Rev. Kelcy Steele. Elderly regulars were urged to stay home.

He said the congregation is ​“getting ready to move to a virtual format” for next weekend. He and church leaders will hold one service next Sunday, not three, and live-stream it on Facebook. Steele said he is advising people to watch the service from home rather than show up in person.

“If they’re comfortable coming, we’re definitely not going to turn them away,” he added.

Meanwhile, the church is looking to fill gaps created by the city’s state of emergency. Within a week it hopes to have 30 slots available at a daily 10 a.m.-3 p.m. tutoring program at the church’s Family Life Center for children of parents who need to go to work. It is also providing transportation to needy families who need a ride to free-food stations the city is setting up at schools each morning. (Call 203 – 624-6245 for a ride.) And the church’s soup kitchen will remain open — but only to provide to-go plates, not for dining in.

Attendance dipped from about 250 – 175 to between 125 and 150 congregants at the early Sunday service and from 200 to about 100, at the second service at Una Iglesia para la Ciudad, according to Pastor Hector Otero. He said he and his staff will meet tomorrow about what to do about services moving forward.

One of the city’s fastest-growing faith communities, Congregation Lubavitch New Haven on Norton Street, has asked people over 60 years old not to attend services. For now it will offer two daily services, but restrict attendance to around a quorum, and hold the services outdoors behind the shul and instruct people ​“to keep a social distance of eight feet or more,” reported congregation President Moti Sandman. ​“Everything is fluid. If it gets worse, we’re going to cancel.” The congregation has shut down all other functions and moved its school and after-school programs online.

Congregation Beth-El Keser Israel in Westville did hold regular services on the Sabbath but on Saturday morning had people practice social distancing. Congregation President Yaron Lew said daily services will take place in the large sanctuary rather than the customary small chapel, with people directed to remain far apart. The congregation board’s executive committee plans to meet Monday night to discuss further measures. ​“In addition, we are gearing up to deliver groceries to people who might need to be in quarantine,” Lew reported.

A third congregation, Westville Synagogue, has shut down services altogether.

“Based on consultation with a medical expert who is on the front lines of hospital care, we shut down all prayer services and classes as of this past Friday night,” reported Rabbi Fred Hyman. ​“This recommendation is based on mitigation and protection of our congregation.”

Bars Cooperative

Also on Sunday, the day of the canceled St. Patrick’s Day Parade, another of Mayor Elicker’s orders was put to the test: The one requiring public venues to slash their occupancy maximums in half. Bars were still expecting crowds and holding promotions despite the parade’s cancellation.

The fire marshal’s office had two inspectors checking bars hourly on Crown, Chapel, State, and Humphrey streets starting at 8 a.m.

By the end of the 8 – 4 shift, they reported no problems, said Fire Marshal Jen Forslund. She said venues that have a maximum occupancy of 60, for example, only let in 30 people at a time. ​“They weren’t letting anyone else in. Everybody was pretty compliant. We had a lot of cooperation.” Another pair of inspectors planned to continue the spot-checks through the evening.

Text of The Emergency Declaration

An earlier version of this article follows.

COVID-19 Lands In New Haven

Yale New Haven Health’s chief nursing executive is the first city resident to test positive for COVID-19, and is currently self-isolating at home.

An additional three non-city residents have also tested positive at the local hospital for the novel coronavirus.

And YNHH’s chief clinical officer has decided to self-quarantine for two weeks after being exposed to COVID-19, even though he has tested negative.

That flurry of updates about the local impact of the global pandemic all came on Saturday.

Mayor Justin Elicker sent out a press release confirming that the city has identified its first resident to test positive for COVID-19. He did not provide any details about who that resident is, where they live, or how long they are suspected to have had the novel coronavirus.

City Health Director Maritza Bond is quoted in the release as saying that the New Haven resident is and will remain under self-isolation.

The mayor also said that Yale-New Haven Hospital has tested three other non-New Haven residents who have all tested positive for COVID-19.

“We have been anticipating this inevitable moment and anticipate many more cases,” Elicker is quoted as saying in the release. ​“I want to, again, stress the vital importance of following guidelines from our medical professionals, the CDC, and our chief health professionals at City Hall.

“To reduce the chance of getting the virus: please stay away from large crowds, wash your hands, maintain social distancing of six feet and avoid shaking hands. Furthermore, if you think you are showing symptoms of COVID-19, do not show up at your primary care physician without contacting them first over the phone. Our team at City Hall is working to respond to this rapidly developing situation and anticipate we will implement additional measures in the coming days to keep our residents safe and healthy.”

The announcement came one day after Elicker issued an emergency half-occupancy order that requires all local restaurants, bars, music halls, and other venues that can fit 16 people or more at a time to cut their capacities in half starting Sunday. The New Haven Fire Department has been charged with enforcing the order.

It also comes on the heels of President Donald Trump declaring a national emergency to try to stem the coronavirus’s spread throughout the United States, and several days after Gov. Ned Lamont declared a public health emergency in the state. 

Also on Saturday, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro said in a Saturday press release that the legislation ​“will ensure free coronavirus tests for all — including the uninsured, access to paid sick days and longer-term paid leave, enhanced unemployment insurance, expanded food security for seniors, kids, and families, and increased funding for state Medicaid programs.”

In a separate memo sent to YNHH staff Saturday afternoon, YNHH President and CEO Marna Borgstrom (pictured) said that the hospital system’s chief nursing executive, Beth Beckman, has tested positive for the novel coronavirus and has self-isolated at home. She wrote that ​“Beth is doing well and remains engaged in our daily operations.”

Borgstrom also wrote that the YNHH’s chief medical officer, Thomas Balcezak, has been exposed to COVID-19. She wrote that he has tested negative and has no symptoms, though he has self-quarantined himself at home for 14 days as a result of his wife testing positive. ​“Like Beth, he remains engaged in our daily operations while working at home.”

The announcement came one day after Balcezak helped lead a press conference alongside other top YNHH officials detailing the hospital system’s preparations for the coronavirus landfall.

“As always, our top priority remains the safety of patients, visitors and everyone that works throughout the Yale New Haven Health System,” Borgstrom continued. ​“Anyone that has come into direct contact with a person who has tested positive for COVID-19 should self-monitor and, should symptoms arise, contact their primary care physician directly.”

YNHH has established a COVID-19 call center, which is accessible at 203 – 688-1700 or 833-ASK-YNHH.

Click here to read more about the measures that YNHH has taken over the past few weeks, days and hours to prepare for the first documented COVID-19 cases in New Haven.

In another email sent out Saturday afternoon to Yale University students and staff, Yale Health Director Paul Genecin wrote that ​“a member of our community has tested positive for COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) on a preliminary test, and we await confirmation. Another community member and a household contact are also undergoing diagnostic evaluation, and we await test results for these patients.” Genecin did not name the community members in his email.

“Yale New Haven Hospital is following Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and working with the state and local health departments, who are following their protocols for such cases,” he wrote. ​“At the same time, we are working to trace these individuals’ steps and to communicate with their close contacts. We will provide guidance as soon as possible to those who have had close contact with confirmed patients ranging from self-monitoring for symptoms (fever, cough, difficulty breathing) to self-isolation at home with active monitoring for 14 days.

“I remind you that we have asked community members to take important steps to implement social distancing. Please review that guidance at the university’s COVID-19 website. In addition, as you read in the email from Vice President Janet Lindner on Wednesday, we are asking staff to move to virtual meetings and for supervisors to arrange for staff to work from home where possible while maintaining university operations. These are key steps to limit the spread of COVID-19 in our community.”

He called on Yale community members to monitor their health by taking the following measures:

• Take your temperature with a thermometer two times a day and monitor for fever (100°F/37.8°C or higher).
• Watch for cough or trouble breathing.

If one gets sick with fever (100°F/37.8°C or higher), cough frequently, or has trouble breathing, Genecin urged community members to take the following steps:

• Avoid contact with others.
• Seek medical care by calling ahead before you go to a doctor’s office or emergency room.
• Report your symptoms as well as your recent travel history or any exposure to others who are unwell.
• If you need to seek medical care for other reasons, call ahead to your doctor and tell them about your recent travel to an area with widespread or ongoing community spread of COVID-19 and about any exposure to a person with the illness.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol if soap and water are not available.

“If we as individuals take precautions and practice good hygiene, we can protect the health of all; please refer to the preventive measures posted on Yale’s COVID-19 website.”

Lucy Gellman contributed to this report.