Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

Since yesterday’s update, an additional 1,003 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 9,784. To date, more than 33,502 patients have been tested in Connecticut. Approximately 1,464 patients have been hospitalized. The total statewide total number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is 380.

A county-by-county breakdown includes:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality and data broken down by age, gender, race, and other factors, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 24^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 24^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus.

Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7W enacts the following provisions:

• Suspension and modification of tax deadlines and collection efforts pursuant to Executive Order No. 7S, Section 6: Modifies Executive Order No. 7S, Section 6 regarding to maketax deferral and interest-rate reduction programs for eligible taxpayers, businesses, nonprofits, and residents who have been economically affected by the COVID-19 pandemic also apply to taxes and utility charges from quasi-municipal corporations. It also clarifies the time periods for which this applies.
• No increased experience rating based on COVID-19 unemployment claims: Modifies state laws surrounding the requirement for employers to be charged an “experience rating” so their unemployment premiums are not unduly increased because of the high number of claims caused by COVID-19.
• Coil cleaning requirements modified: Modifies state regulations so that bars, restaurants, breweries, and wineries that normally sell beer or wine for on-premises consumption and remain closed for on premises consumption pursuant to Executive Order No. 7D are not required to clean beer or wine pipe lines on a weekly basis, unless growlers, crowlers, or cans for off-premise consumption are sold pursuant to Executive Orders No. 7G or 7T. Any premise that is not cleaning lines on a weekly basis will not be permitted to begin serving draught beer or wine after Executive Order No. 7D is lifted until a coil and line cleaning occurs.
• Delivery signature requirement suspended: Modifies state statutes so that consumers do not need to provide a signature for delivery or curb-side pickup of alcoholic beverages, provided that the seller verifies that the consumer receiving the alcoholic beverages is twenty-one or older and is not intoxicated.
• Return of permit not necessary for temporary closures pursuant to Executive Order No. 7D: Waives the requirement that businesses with certain permits that have closed for sixty days or less notify the Department of Consumer Protection of the closure, so long as the closure is the result of Executive Order No. 7D. It also waives the requirement that businesses return their permits to the state if the business is closed for more than 60 days if the closure is the result of Executive Order No. 7D, as long as it intends to open following the termination of the executive order.
• Ninety-day provisional permits: Modifies state statutes to authorize the commissioner of Consumer Protection to review and approve the issuance of provisional permits and their renewal, which would have otherwise been reviewed and approved by the Liquor Control Commission.
• Renewal date for on-premise liquor permits to be extended: Modifies state statutes to provide that all on-premise liquor permits in active status when Executive Order No. 7D went into effect on March 16, 2020 shall be extended by four months, including any business whose permit expired between March 16 and April 9.
• Permit need not be recorded with town clerk: Suspends state statutes and regulations in all towns where the town clerk’s office is closed or so reduced in hours that it makes it unreasonable to have permits recorded. Permits shall be recorded as soon as the relevant town clerk’s office is reopened and staffed for routine business.

Governor Lamont and Education Commissioner Cardona announce plans to extend the cancellation of classes at schools until at least May 20

Governor Lamont, in consultation with State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, today announced that he soon plans to sign an executive order extending the date for which classes at all public schools statewide remain canceled until at least May 20.

“Out of the best interests of the health and safety of students, teachers, and staff, we feel this is the best approach at this time,” Governor Lamont said. “We’ll continue consulting with our public health experts and education officials in the coming weeks as the situation continues to change. I want everyone to know that this is done out of an abundance of caution, and our education officials will continue to speak with school districts to help amplify their learn-from-home initiatives during this difficult time.”

The governor plans to sign the order in the coming days.

Connecticut National Guard continues to coordinate statewide delivery of PPE

The Connecticut National Guard is continuing to assist the state in its delivery of personal protective equipment at two collection points that are being picked up and distributed to front line health care workers, first responders, and others statewide. Today’s deliveries include:

Branford:

• 10,300 N95
• 19,600 Surgical Masks
• 121,000 Gloves
• 4,500 Face Shields

New Britain:

• 11,700 N95
• 20,650 Surgical Masks
• 128,000 Gloves
• 5,250 Face Shields

[PHOTOS: Connecticut National Guard at distribution sites]

Connecticut receives donation of hydroxychloroquine that will be distributed at hospitals statewide

The State of Connecticut has received a generous donation of hydroxychloroquine from Amneal Pharmaceuticals that will be distributed to acute care hospitals as they combat the COVID-19 pandemic, and work to ensure that critically ill patients have access to the medication. The Food and Drug Administration recently authorized emergency use of the medication to treat COVID-19 in certain hospitalized patients. Hydroxychloroquine is traditionally used to treat autoimmune disease such as lupus.

Approximately 400,000 tablets (4,000 bottles) of the 200mg hydroxychloroquine tablets have shipped and are starting to be received by hospitals. They went direct to medical facilities in order to ensure that patients have direct access to the medication and aims to limit hoarding and inappropriate use or prescribing. The donation was secured through the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection’s Drug Control Division with the collaboration of the Connecticut Hospital Association.

The medication was sent to hospitals in the statewide based on the total number of beds the for which each hospital is licensed. Additional allotments were sent to hospitals supporting or expected to support recovery centers. Hospitals, following the procedures set by the Drug Control Division, may move this medication to other hospitals should there be a need.

“Making sure that medical facilities have the resources they need to treat patients who are in dire need of our support is an absolute priority,” Governor Lamont said. “I want to thank Amneal Pharmaceuticals for their generous donation, along with DCP, and the Connecticut Hospital Association for working to ensure this medication goes to the right place. What we’re going through is unprecedented, and it will continue to take public private partnerships like this to get through it.”

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Consumer Protection.

Financial assistance available for minority and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic

Minority and women-owned businesses with 20 or fewer employees can now apply for a zero-interest line of credit up to $20,000 to help them navigate the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 Business Response Program will be administered and underwritten by Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO). Companies can learn more about the program and apply for assistance by visiting HEDCO’s website.

Connecticut’s community colleges are manufacturing face shields and devices for health care providers

While courses have moved online as a result of COVID-19, several community colleges within the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system have repurposed their Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centers to help meet the state’s need for personal protective equipment.

The colleges, including Asnuntuck, Housatonic, Naugatuck Valley, Northwestern, and Tunxis, are producing face shield frames for area hospitals and nursing homes using additive manufacturing technology, including 3D printers. The colleges are using approved designs to manufacture the plastic frames. The 3D printed items are designed so a piece of polyethylene sheeting can be attached and provide a protective barrier between health care workers and their patients.

[WATCH: Video of the 3D printers making face shields]

Western Connecticut State University has also donated a 3D printer to a local hospital.

For more information, read the press release issued today by CSCU.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access. It intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.