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 24, 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.

*A total of 1,175 new test results were reported since the last report and 2,770 previously reported PCR tests were removed due to correction of data errors.

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 55^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 55^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. 7BBB enacts the following provisions:

1. Safety advisory regarding travel from states with high infection rates: Requires the commissioner of the Department of Public Health to issue a travel advisory for self-quarantine of people who arrive in Connecticut from states with significant community spread of COVID-19.
2. Amended deadline for candidates to withdraw from presidential primary: Moves up the deadline by which presidential candidates need to request that their name be removed from the ballot for the August 11 primary, and moves up the date for the secretary of the state to choose by lottery the order of names on the presidential primary ballot. This will allow the secretary to finalize preparations and for election officials to order and public ballots sooner.
3. Accelerated date to finalize order of names on presidential primary ballot: Moves up the date by which the Secretary of the State is required to determine by lot the order in which names of candidates will appear on the ballot for the 2020 presidential preference primary.
4. Temporary commercial pesticide junior operator certification: Allows the commissioner of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to issue temporary certifications for commercial junior pesticide operators before candidates have completed the examination, and defer the fees until a permanent certification is issued.
5. Authority to modify enhanced health procedures in child care and day camps: Authorizes the commissioner of the Office of Early Childhood to modify the enhanced health procedures required in child care facilities and day camps in order to permit the safe provision of adequate child care services while protecting children, staff, and their families from transmission of COVID-19.

Connecticut ranked as one of only four states on track to contain COVID-19

Connecticut is one of only four states in the nation that are on track to contain COVID-19, according to a study by Covid Act Now. The organization is highlighting the state’s steadily decreasing rate of cases, while also stating that its preparedness efforts “meets or exceeds international standards.”

The other states identified as on track to contain COVID-19 are also in the northeast and include New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts.

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.