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 Tuesday, July 7, 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.”

Regional travel advisory updated to include three additional states

The regional travel advisory between Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York that went into effect last month and directs incoming travelers from states with a significant community spread of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for a 14-day period was updated today and now includes three additional states (Delaware, Kansas, and Oklahoma) for a total of 19. The quarantine applies to any person arriving from a state with a positive test rate higher than 10 per 100,000 residents over a 7-day rolling average or a state with a 10 percent or higher positivity rate over a 7-day rolling average.

As of today, the states meeting this criteria includes:

• Alabama
• Arkansas
• Arizona
• California
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Iowa
• Idaho
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Mississippi
• North Carolina
• Nevada
• Oklahoma
• South Carolina
• Tennessee
• Texas
• Utah

This list will continue to be updated on a regular basis as the situation develops across the country. Anyone seeking the most up-to-date information on the regional travel advisory is encouraged to visit the state’s coronavirus website at ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont announces Mathematica Policy Research selected to conduct top-to-bottom review of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities

Governor Lamont today announced that the Connecticut Department of Public Health has selected Mathematica Policy Research to conduct an independent, third-party review of the response to COVID-19 within the state’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Last month, the governor announced that he was ordering the review to be conducted and soon thereafter proposals were solicited from third-party experts. Mathematica is expected to provide the state with a final report of its findings by the end of September. The analysis will be made available to the public.

“Our nursing homes and assisted living facilities have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19,” Governor Lamont said. “The tragedies that occurred deserve a thorough examination and we have an obligation to those who live in those facilities, their families, and the incredible professionals who care for residents to provide answers as to what could have been done differently to mitigate the spread of the virus. Timeliness is a critical factor when it comes to this review, and we know that Mathematica will provide a thorough, detailed, and actionable report. We must learn everything we can from our experience over the last few months so we can apply that knowledge to implement best practices in our long-term care facilities as we prepare for a possible second wave of the virus.”

According to the signed contract, Mathematica Policy Research will:

• Assess the overall impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Connecticut compared to other states in the region and the country;
• Assess the overall impact of the COVID-19 pandemic throughout nursing homes and assisted living facilities and their preparation/response to the virus;
• Identify significant circumstances that may have favorably or unfavorably impacted the severity of outbreak, including but not limited to:
  • Timeliness of response in comparison to the progression of the outbreak
  • Confirmed cases by age/race/ethnicity
  • Confirmed deaths by age/race/ethnicity
  • Rate of transmission within the facility
  • Staffing challenges
  • Availability of PPE
  • Availability of testing
  • Staff expertise and skill levels
  • Establishment of COVID Recovery Facilities
  • Funding enhancements
  • Communication and coordination issues with other parts of the healthcare systems such as hospitals
  • Other systemic issues and other epidemiology issues
• Identify and describe industry best practices displayed during the pandemic response; and
• Review and complete an overall assessment of State response to the pandemic in Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities in Connecticut.Specific areas to assess will include, but will not be limited to:
  • Regulatory framework, including infection control, survey and certification
  • Guidance
  • Payment policies
  • Communication
  • Data availability and reporting
  • Availability of Testing and PPE
  • Any other relevant topic

Mathematica Policy Research is expected to conduct its review by looking at data and interviews/consultation with the Department of Public Health and Department of Social Services; members of the legislative and executive branch; residents and families; long-term care facility experts; and long-term care facility staff. The contractor will develop a report that synthesizes findings that emerge throughout the project and offers policy and programmatic recommendations for the governor and legislative leaders. Mathematica will be compensated approximately $450,000.

Reminder: Connecticut individual income tax returns and payments due July 15

The Connecticut Department of Revenue Services is reminding taxpayers that the deadline to file individual income tax returns and make payments for the 2019 tax year is Wednesday, July 15, 2020. The deadline was extended by 90 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The easiest way to file state income tax returns is online via the state’s Taxpayer Service Center, which is easy, secure, and free to use. The Department of Revenue Services website includes a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions that are updated regularly.

For more information, read the press release issued today by the Department of Revenue Services.

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.