Bethel Town hall has a new secure, weather-proof drop box residents can use for documents and other correspondence. Town officials thanked Bob Dibble and the Department of Public Works crew for quickly fabricating and installing the new secure drop box. 

The municipal center remains closed to the public, and residents are asked to use online services or US mail. However, the new drop box can be used for urgent communications. 

First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker says he understands when people see the number of coronavirus cases grow, they naturally get worried and want to know more.  But he says that data is protected under HIPAA laws. Although sometimes basic information, such as the age is released by the state, Knickerbocker says they are not provided any other details that might allow someone to figure out who the person is, even if that possibility is very remote. 

Health officials want to avoid creating a false sense of security and think they are in the clear if age, underlying health condition or location do not apply to them.