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 5:00 p.m. on Monday, September 14, 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.”

Connecticut Department of Labor announces federal Lost Wages Assistance extended to six weeks; claimants due to receive first payment this week

Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby today provides updates on the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. Certification for the program is now open to all claimants and the program has been extended for another week for a total of six weeks of benefits. The program gives an additional $300 per week benefit for eligible claimants who were unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19.

“We urge claimants to self-certify for Lost Wages Assistance – it will offer much-needed additional assistance to our unemployed workforce,” Commissioner Westby said. “Connecticut was just approved for another week of assistance for a total of six weeks, but this program is only a temporary one – FEMA will end it once available federal funding is exhausted.”

Certification for the program is open. New unemployment claimants and existing state and extended benefits claimants are required to self-certify. Existing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimants have already self-certified and do not need to do anything to receive the additional benefit.

A total of six weeks of Lost Wages Assistance will be paid in additional to regular unemployment weekly benefits and will be retroactive to the claim week beginning July 26, 2020. It will also be available for claim weeks beginning August 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2020. Claimants will receive the supplemental benefit in several payments. The first payment of $300 is expected to be disbursed to claimants beginning September 17, 2020, with the remainder of retroactive payments following in two or three separate payments.

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.