THE ITEM

Twin threat: Clinton imposes public building mask mandate; urges residents to cover up

CLINTON - The Board of Health is urging residents to mask up and cover up after a "double whammy" of health issues.

Chairman Steve Lipka said on Thursday that the board has put in place a mask mandate for public buildings until Oct. 1 - mirroring what is in place for schools - in response to increasing COVID-19 cases.

In reports released by the board from Aug. 27 to Sept. 1, cases increased by 22, one of the largest increases in several months. The increase prompted events of Olde Home Day to move outside to help protect visitors; that helped contribute to the decision to cancel the Red, White and Brew event, which is held inside the Town Hall auditorium.

But precautions will be needed outside, also. The state notified the Clinton Board of Health Wednesday that a mosquito in a trap in Clinton tested positive for West Nile. On Thursday, Sept. 2, the state will be treating catch basins and spray in the affected area.

Lipka said he did not know what area the sample was found, but mosquitoes can fly the length of the town.

The Board of Health is urging people to cover up, with long sleeves, and to use repellant when they are outside during peak mosquito times - mostly dusk to dawn, when residents have been reporting a lot of mosquitoes out due to the amount of rain the area has received this summer.