FAIRFIELD, CT – A Fairfield student who tested positive for the coronavirus in late January had the new, more contagious variant of the disease in the UK, officials said Friday.
“I want to remind students and staff to stay cautious, especially as the COVID-19 B117 (UK) variant has been identified in Connecticut,” Chief Inspector Mike Cummings said in a message to parents Friday. “It is important that everyone continues to wear your mask, wash your hands and keep a safe distance from people outside your household.”
The student who contracted the variant has completed isolation, and anyone who has contact with the student has been quarantined, Cummings said. According to Director of Communications Andrea Clark, the school district does not disclose which school the student attends.
“The health department has consulted with the CT department of public health and no further action is needed at this point,” said Cummings, adding that 42 people in the state have tested positive for the UK variant.
Despite the presence of the variant, virus data is declining, with fewer hospitalizations and deaths, according to Cummings and First Selectwoman Brenda Kupchick, who also discussed the B117 case in her weekly email to residents.
From Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, Fairfield saw 103 confirmed cases of coronavirus, compared to 192 confirmed cases in the week of Dec. 27 to Jan. 2, according to city data. The Fairfield Health Department has administered 6,958 vaccines, with a further 4,700 appointments scheduled for February.
Since the pandemic first hit Connecticut in March, Fairfield has registered 3,942 cases and 194 residents have died from the virus. In the Fairfield school district, 374 students and 108 staff have recovered from the virus. Another 10 students and two staff recently tested positive.