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 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 17, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

Governor Lamont noted that today’s test results represent the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in Connecticut since the pandemic began. Out of the 6,430 tests reported since yesterday, only 80 were positive, representing a 1.2 percent positivity rate. In addition, with a total of 188 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19, hospitalization rates in the state dipped below 200 for the first time since the mid-March.

“I can’t stop saying how impressed I am at the people of Connecticut for listening to the advice of public health professionals and taking the appropriate actions to bend the curve,” Governor Lamont said. “The people of Connecticut are having an impact, and that is exactly why our state has been identified as one of only a handful in the nation to be ‘trending better.’ However, this isn’t over, and the last thing we want is to set ourselves back and erase all of the progress we’ve made. Each of us needs to continue doing our part to prevent a renewed spread of this virus. Seeing so many people wearing masks and having this resulting data tells me our residents are looking out for each other.”

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs 54^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 54^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7AAA enacts the following provisions:

• Technical correction to Executive Order No. 7ZZ, Section 8: Clarifies that Executive Order No. 7F, Sections 3 through 5 remain in effect.
• Authority to modify limitation on group sizes in child care: Allows the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood to increase permissible total numbers of children that a child care facility may serve in one space and in one facility.
• Waiver of requirement to hold annual agricultural fair and reporting requirement to maintain agricultural society property tax exemption: Allows agricultural and horticultural societies to continue to receive certain tax benefits without conducting a required annual agricultural fair.
• Mandatory COVID-19 testing for staff of private and municipal nursing home facilities, managed residential communities, and assisted living services agencies: Modifies the mandatory staff testing program for nursing home and other congregate setting staff to set conditions for testing to cease after 14 consecutive days without a positive case and to require resumed testing if any staff member or resident tests positive.

Connecticut Department of Transportation Reminds Travelers to Wear Face Coverings; Be Aware of Social Distancing and Stay Safe

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) today announced a number of steps it has taken prioritize safety for all users of the transportation system as the state enters Phase 2 of its return to pre-COVID operations.

Train and bus service is gradually being augmented to provide service to additional travelers who are beginning to travel again for work and other purposes.

First and most importantly, public transportation users can help protect themselves, fellow riders, and transit workers by wearing face coverings and not riding public transportation when they are sick. This is the most effective way to promote public safety. CTDOT has also directed service providers to continue intensive daily cleaning of buses and rail cars until further notice. On the bus system, riders will continue to board through the rear door on buses so equipped. Some buses already feature clear plastic dividers between the bus driver and the general public and CTtransit is moving forward with the procurement and installation of additional driver barriers on other buses. These barriers are expected to be installed before Labor Day.

As the weather has improved and traffic volumes were depressed, the state saw a larger number of individuals walking and biking in many cities and towns. CTDOT is encouraging pedestrians to “Stop the Spread, Bump the Button” at pedestrian crosswalks. Pedestrians are advised – in English and Spanish – to use their elbow or arm, rather than their hands, to push the button for a walk signal. CTDOT has adhered “Bump the Button” decals to call buttons along state roadways and begun to replace agency-managed pedestrian crosswalk call buttons in several large cities, including Hartford and New Haven, with modern, larger call buttons for “bumping.” Additional cities will be considered for these call button upgrades as funding permits.

“In the months since the coronavirus pandemic began, we have worked hard to prepare for a return to something approaching pre-COVID ‘normalcy,’” Transportation Commissioner Joseph J. Giulietti said. “Travel on buses and trains was restricted to essential travel only. Now, with people re-engaging with our economy, we want to reassure the safety for all users on our trains, buses, roadways and sidewalks. I want to thank our customers and citizens for their patience and understanding, and our operators for their continued support and commitment to the safety of the public.”

Rail service on the New Haven Line, Hartford Line, and Shore Line East continues to operate on a limited schedule. Although ridership, once down by more than 90 percent, is gradually beginning to build, there is substantial capacity for returning riders. Danbury Line and Waterbury Line service remains suspended to accelerate ongoing capital projects, while ridership levels remain at historic lows.

Bus service continues to operate on regular weekday and weekend schedules, providing service to countless essential workers who have continued to ride throughout the public health emergency. Bus ridership saw reductions of approximately 50 percent during the early weeks of the public health emergency. Ridership has begun to increase modestly following the Phase 1 reopening.

The pandemic also had the effect of dramatically reducing highway traffic volumes while at the same time causing a sharp uptick in speeding. CTDOT joined with the Connecticut State Police in a program urging motorists to slow down and “Help Our Heroes” – with electronic message boards along highways promoting the effort. As Connecticut enters Phase 2 of the recovery, CTDOT is continuing to stress dangers posed by speeding and encouraging travelers to observe speed limits, slow down, and watch out for crews in highway work zones.

CTDOT also reminded travelers that the 23 service plazas on I-95, Route 15, and I-395 are fully open for food, fuel, restrooms, and other amenities and travel conveniences. Enhanced cleaning services have been implemented. The seven rest areas along I-84, I-91, and I-95 have also returned to normal operations and staffing, with enhanced and more frequent cleaning in common areas.

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. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.