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    Wednesday, May 08, 2024

    Two people evacuated off Fishers Island, unclear if related to COVID-19

    New London — After receiving a call Friday night for a medical emergency, the New London Fire Department transported two people, who had arrived from Fishers Island, to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital, said Battalion Chief Jeffrey Rheaume.

    It is unclear if they were transported after showing signs of COVID-19. 

    In a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers section, updated as of Saturday, the Fishers Island website said the island "has one confirmed COVID-19 positive case who was transported off-Island for testing and hospitalization. There are also two persons-of-interest in the same household who are undergoing testing."

    A spokesperson for L+M Hospital could not be reached for comment.

    The people had been transported from Fishers Island, N.Y., by the Fishers Island Sea Stretcher boat to the Coast Guard Station at Fort Trumbull, Rheaume said. The individuals were then transferred from the boat to the ambulance.

    The fire department received the call at 8:15 p.m., he said.

    The fire department is not able to comment on reason for the call, he said.

    Ledge Light Health Director of Health Stephen Mansfield said Sunday that patient transports occur daily from various locations and are not reported to the health district. 

    "We are only notified when an individual tests positive for COVID-19," he said. "When that happens, we follow appropriate protocols for follow up case investigations, etc. We are no longer issuing press releases for individual cases; we know COVID-19 is in our communities. Residents should assume that any persons they come in contact with may be infected, and employ appropriate social distancing measures."

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