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 8:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 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.”

Governor Lamont signs 67^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 67^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. 7OOO enacts the following provisions:

• Extension of expanded outdoor dining: Extends previously enacted provisions regarding outdoor dining through November 12, 2020.
• Modification of the extension of 30-day period of credit for liquor permittees: Modifies the period of credit available to certain liquor permittees so that the maximum period of credit shall be 60 days after the date of delivery.
• Extension of eviction moratorium: Extends the previously enacted moratorium on residential evictions to October 1, 2020.
• Resumption of certain requirements and deadlines regarding civil and family matters: Amends a previously enacted executive order regarding defaults and nonsuits in civil and family matters.

Department of Public Health issues COVID-19 alert to Danbury after significant spike in new cases

The Connecticut Department of Public Health on Friday evening issued a COVID-19 alert for Danbury after a significant increase in cases in the last two weeks, with much of the outbreak related to recent domestic and international travel. Connecticut is requiring anyone traveling to the state from many other U.S. states to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. In addition, the CDC recommends anyone returning from international travel from countries with wide-spread transmission of COVID-19 to self-quarantine for the same period of time.

The Department of Public Health is coordinating with municipal and local health officials in Danbury to get the word out among community centers and churches to take extra precautions immediately. Those precautions include staying home when possible and limiting outings, wearing masks anytime you leave home, limiting indoor gatherings to only those you live with, refraining from attending large church services for the time being, and not attending large outdoor gatherings.

Between August 2 to 20, Danbury recorded at least 178 new COVID-19 cases, a sharp increase over the previous two-week period when only 40 new cases were recorded.

“This is a serious outbreak in Danbury and we really need an all hands on deck approach. We need everyone in Danbury to take extreme precaution,” Acting Public Health Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford, MD MPH, said. “We appreciate the partnership with municipal and health department leadership in Danbury, as well as health care providers that have testing sites available for members of the community. We are urging anyone who thinks they may have been exposed to get tested as soon as possible, stay home until your test results are known and stay at home for 10 days if you test positive.

“We need you to answer your phone if a contact tracer tries to get in touch,” she said. “If you are over the age of 60 or have a chronic disease and live in Danbury, you should stay home. We need employers to help make sure everyone with symptoms or who was exposed is staying home and not coming to work. Friends and neighbors could help by supporting those who need to stay home with food and other errands. We can limit spread of the virus if we all work together.”

To find a testing site near you, visit ct.gov/coronavirus. For more information or any questions, reach out to the Danbury Health Department at 203-797-4625 or by email to healthdept@danbury-ct.gov.

Department of Aging and Disability Services provides guidance on the reopening of senior centers

The Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services today released a document providing guidance for senior centers that will allow for the safe reopening of their facilities. The guidance was developed in partnership with senior centers, municipalities, and state and local health representatives. It is intended to provide senior centers with the discretion to expand the virtual programs and services that they have been providing during the pandemic beginning September 1.

“While we know older adults are considered a more vulnerable population for COVID 19, this pandemic has caused many residents to also feel negative effects from social isolation and loss of independence,” Governor Lamont said. “We believe the many programs offered by senior centers are important to the quality of life for these Connecticut residents.”

“With this guidance we were trying to strike a balance between health and safety and the ability to access programs that support the independence and well-being of older adults.” Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter said. “These services provide a critical path to increase social connections.”

“Connecticut’s senior centers have been doing an incredible job at supporting older adults as they stay home,” Dianne Stone, president of Connecticut Association of Senior Center Personnel said. “As anxious as we are to welcome everyone back in, we want to make sure that we do it safely.  That is why we are so appreciative of the partnership with the state in establishing this guidance, giving us a starting date and a roadmap of things that we need to consider as we determine how and when we can safely invite people back.”

Guidance provided to senior centers as they begin their reopening planning includes:

• Capacity limits
• Cleaning protocols
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment
• Contact Tracing
• Training and Certification

The entire reopen guidance document can be found on the Department of Economic and Community Development’s website under Phase II of the reopen guidelines.  Each local senior center throughout the state will be making their own individual decisions regarding specific opening timelines and available programs.

Connecticut producers urged to enroll in Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

The Connecticut Department of Agriculture is urging farmers and producers in the state to apply for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Coronavirus Food Assistance program to provide vital financial assistance to absorb sales losses and increased marketing costs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. As of Monday, August 17, 2020, approximately 100 applications for Connecticut producers have been approved, totaling $6.88 million in payments.

The USDA is accepting applications now through September 11, 2020. Producers should apply through the Farm Service Agency at their local USDA Service Center.

In response to comments and data received by the public, USDA announced on July 9 that it would make more than 40 additional specialty crop commodities eligible for the program. Nearly 60 additional commodities were announced on August 11, including additions to specialty crops and livestock along with the inclusion of nursery crops and cut flowers, aquaculture, and certain types of eggs. In addition to these newly eligible commodities, USDA also expanded funding categories for several commodities and adjusted payment rates for others.

For more details on the program, visit farmers.gov/cfap.

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, or text CTCOVID to 898211. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This 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.