Procedures for Foodservice Establishments to Safely Re-open after a Power Outage/(Updates)

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Reporting on the State of Connecticut’s Summary of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and tests.

The State of Connecticut’s COVID-19 metric report is now issued five times per week, every Monday through Friday. The report that is issued each Monday contains combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This schedule will remain in effect until further notice.

The Health District’s efforts are focusing on  the response to last week’s storm and the town’s recovery efforts.

A complete listing of all COVID-19 cases and  analyses by age, hospitalizations, deaths, towns and county is reported by the Connecticut State Department of Health. This information can be found by following the link below:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Coronavirus/CTDPHCOVID19summary8102020.pdf

 

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                                                                                                              To Date    Change from   Probable 

                                                                                                                                Yesterday        Cases

Local Results                                                                                                              

Westport Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State        318                    +2*                     15

Weston Residents COVID-19 Positive Reported to the State             72                    +0                      3

                          *Since last report on August 7th

 

Procedures for Foodservice Establishments to Safely Reopen after a Power Outage

Foodservice establishments are reminded that in accordance with State Public Health Food Protection Program requirements, they must report extended power outages to the Westport Weston Health District.

Inspections are underway to ensure that proper protocols are in place to reopen safely and that perishable food is not sold at food establishments that lost power for four hours or longer.  Food establishments with questions about reopening should contact WWHD 203.227.9571.

Food establishments should discard perishables that have been exposed to unsafe temperatures, or other sources of potential contamination and ensure that they adequately cleaned and sanitized before resuming operations.

Food establishments must meet the following basic conditions prior to resuming food preparation and/or sale of potentially hazardous foods:

  • All unsafe potentially hazardous food has been discarded
  • Have invoices for new stock available for review by the Health District staff
  • Keep a log of all discarded food for insurance reimbursement purposes   
  • Electricity and gas services have been restored
  • All circuit breakers have been properly reset
  • All equipment and facilities are operating properly, including lighting, refrigeration, hot holding, ventilation, and bathrooms.
  • Hot and cold potable water, within appropriate water pressure range, is available for consumption, hand washing, and proper dishwashing
  • Purchase fresh food only after power has been restored, AND equipment has returned to proper temperatures.

Remember: Improper holding and cooking temperatures are the most common causes of foodborne illness!

If you are unsure if food is safe for consumption or any other questions, please call the Health District at 203.227.9571