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 4:00 p.m. on Friday, June 26, 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.

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.”

CDC releases results from first six sites of large-scale seroprevalence survey, including Connecticut

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today released the results of the first six sites involved in its large-scale seroprevalence survey, which includes Connecticut. The federal agency partnered with commercial laboratories for the survey that tested de-identified clinical blood specimens for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. The survey included people who had blood specimens tested for reasons unrelated to COVID-19, such as for a routine or sick visit blood test by commercial laboratories in participating areas.

In Connecticut, the survey estimates that 4.94 percent of the state’s population was positive for antibodies, after age and sex-standardizing to census data and after accounting for the sensitivity and specificity of the CDC assay used. The samples were collected between April 26 and May 3. Connecticut had the second highest seroprevalence in the first round of the study. Blood samples from approximately 1,400 people in the state were tested.

More data on the survey can be found on the CDC’s website.

CHEFA announces $3 million to support Connecticut health care, education, child care, and cultural organizations

The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) has approved $3 million in grants to assist Connecticut health care, education, child care, and cultural organizations in their response to the COVID-19 crisis. Earlier this spring, CHEFA’s board of directors decided to replace all of its typical FY 2021 grant programs with a COVID-19 grant program to help these organizations meet the needs of these unprecedented times.

CHEFA’s FY 2021 COVID-19 grants are being awarded to the following organizations:

• 4-CT Fund: $304,200 To Support the 4-CT Card Initiative, an effort administered through community-based organizations and community health centers to provide emergency funds to the Connecticut undocumented population.
• Boys and Girls Clubs of Connecticut: $300,000 to support summer/fall youth programming with increased safety protocols, staffing, and support for families.
• Community Health Center Association of Connecticut: $486,000 to support increased COVID-19 testing at federally qualified health centers throughout Connecticut, acquire additional medical equipment, and provide patient care kits.
• Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU): $350,000 to support a student relief fund for undocumented students attending Connecticut state colleges and universities.
• Connecticut After School Network: $220,000 to support after school programs throughout Connecticut with programming, PPE, and health/educational resources.
• Connecticut Association for Community Action, Inc.: $99,000 to modify existing facilities to implement social distancing protocols and acquire PPE.
• Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative: $150,000 to support the public-private partnership with the Office of Early Childhood, focused on family childcare provider resources and technical support during COVID-19 crisis.
• Connecticut Humanities: $100,000 partnership with the Connecticut Office of the Arts to provide support to arts and cultural organizations affected by the COVID-19 crisis.
• Gaylord Hospital: $40,800 to acquire UV cleaning machine and glide scope intubation equipment for support of COVID-19 patients.
• Hartford HealthCare: $400,000 to support ten COVID-19 mobile testing sites in five Connecticut regions with testing supplies, PPE, and staffing.
• Hospital for Special Care: $75,000 to purchase two ventilators, pulse oximeters, and other medical and technology equipment to care for COVID-19 patients; to enhance community supports, virtual visitation, and create autism video series in response to COVID-19 crisis.
• Oak Hill (Connecticut Institute for the Blind): $75,000 to support health, education, and physical education programs for individuals with disabilities and a food coordination program for group homes, due to COVID-19 closures and lack of access.
• Trinity Health of New England: $250,000 to support stage II convalescent plasma therapy clinical trial for COVID-19 patients.
• United Way, Inc.: $150,000 to support the Connecticut United Ways COVID-19 Response Fund providing emergency support to Connecticut individuals and families.

CHEFA is a quasi-governmental agency created to help Connecticut-based nonprofit organizations raise the funds needed to meet their goals of improving the health and education of Connecticut citizens. CHEFA accomplishes this by providing tax-exempt financing and other financial assistance to educational institutions, healthcare providers, childcare providers, and other eligible nonprofit entities. Since its inception in 2002, CHEFA grant programs have provided more than $33 million to Connecticut nonprofit organizations. CHEFA grant programs utilize no State of Connecticut funds.

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.