Sam Gurwitt Photo
Fire Chief Gary Merwede.
As Covid-19 cases inch over their peak in the Connecticut, Hamden logged 589 cases, and counting, on Wednesday.
Thirty-nine Hamden residents have died from the virus.
Hamden Fire Chief Gary Merwede gave that update Wednesday in an email.
“The [Hamden Fire Department] has been able to meet demand,” he wrote, but “we are still seeing very ill people in the field with respiratory disease, with a slight decline in daily numbers.”
He gave reason for optimism, though with a caveat that people must not relax the precautions they are currently taking. “To hold this course, we need to hold the line on social distancing a bit longer. From my perspective, this effort has been a success in our community. I hope the people maintain their resolve,” he wrote.
As of last week, three Hamden nursing homes had seen cases of the coronavirus, according to data released by the state. Arden House had 30 confirmed cases and seven deaths. Hamden Rehabilitation and Health Care Center had 31 cases and three deaths. At Whitney Rehabilitation Care Center, 24 patients had tested positive, and one had died.
Meanwhile, the Hamden Food Bank at the Keefe Community Center continues to feed twice the number of clients it normally would, said Community Development Manager Adam Sendroff.
Sendroff said the food drive that took place last week was successful, and that “we may hold another drive in the coming weeks based on need.”
Hamden Community Development
On Monday, the town’s Connecticut Food Bank Mobile Pantry gave food to over 450 people in cars at Hamden Middle School, as it did earlier in the month. This time, volunteers distributed 11,000 pounds of food, Sendroff wrote. The next one will take place May 13 at 4:30 p.m.
Those who would like to donate to the pantry at the Keefe Center can make out a check to the Hamden Food Bank and mail it to the Keefe Community Center at 11 Pine Street, Hamden, CT 06514.
Those who would like to donate to the Connecticut Food Bank can do so here.
Police Chief John Cappiello said he has increased patrols in parks and shopping centers on the weekends. He also said his department has seen an increase in car thefts since the pandemic began. He said he is not sure why, but that it might have to do with the fact that school is out and kids are at loose ends.