Mayor Leclerc's Message Regarding COVID-19
East Hartford has been preparing for several weeks in response to the transmission of COVID-19. While there have been no known or reported cases of the Coronavirus in our community, the East Hartford’s Preparedness Coalition has been taking the recommended steps within our town buildings and encourage the public to do the same. The East Hartford Preparedness Coalition consists of my administration, East Hartford Police Department, East Hartford Fire Department, East Hartford Public Schools and our Health Department and the mission is to coordinate community wide preparedness and response efforts and actively monitor the situation.
East Hartford has standard preparedness procedure having gone through extensive FEMA training. We stand ready with controlled communication which will be relayed through the Mayor’s Office which becomes the Joint Information Center (JIC) for the situation and will be coordinating the messaging to the media and community. Misinformation regarding the virus will likely be played out in some forms of the media and we are taking proactive steps and looking for ways to provide our residents with transparent and up-to-date information that they can trust. Although there are currently no confirmed cases of coronavirus in East Hartford, I encourage all residents to take measures of precaution to make sure the disease does not spread in our community. As part of preventative methods, the CDC advises individuals to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are unavailable, please use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. The CDC also suggests to avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth and cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or your upper sleeve. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting touched objects and surfaces, including railings, doorknobs, countertops, and others, using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Most importantly, avoid close contact with people who are sick, and stay home if you become ill.
We have been holding regular strategic planning sessions and have been in frequent communication with the State Department of Public Health and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) while taking precaution to protect all residents, businesses, visitors and employees. Being a public-facing organization that serves the public we are monitoring the COVID-19 issue as it evolves, following the State Response Framework which will best position us to meet the expectations of the community.
Residents are encouraged to follow the CDC recommendations to safeguard themselves and their family. Please visit the town website at www.easthartfordct.gov for more information. The most up-to-date information on COVID-19 is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website at www.cdc.gov and the Connecticut Department of Public Health at www.portalct.gov/dph.