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, September 4, 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 68^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 68^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. 9 enacts the following provisions:

• Commissioners of Early Childhood and Education may issue operational rules: Enables the Commissioner of Education and Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Commissioner of Public Health, to issue binding guidance, rules, or orders, including for the wearing of masks or face coverings, for operation of schools or childcare settings that each deems necessary to response to COVID-19.
• Extension of prohibition on sale of alcohol by certain permittees without the sale of food: Extends the previously enacted prohibition on the sale of alcohol by certain permittees that do not sell food through at least September 26, 2020, unless earlier modified or terminated.

Connecticut Department of Public Health issues Labor Day weekend COVID-19 alert after clusters of cases among college students, plus many social events planned

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) today is issuing a COVID-19 alert statewide for Labor Day weekend after seeing clusters of cases recently among college students, as well as a concern over the many gatherings and cookouts that are scheduled all over Connecticut for the holiday weekend. Public Health Acting Commissioner Dr. Deidre Gifford is urging all Connecticut residents – especially young adults – to take all necessary precautions to avoid risking exposure to COVID-19 and spreading infection.

“We have a beautiful weekend coming up. But as we celebrate the holiday, the Department of Public Health is reminding Connecticut residents that small gatherings of family and friends are a major source of infection,” Acting Commissioner Gifford said. “In the past several weeks in Connecticut, we are seeing small gatherings of friends and family leading to COVID-19 infection. If you are getting together with anyone who doesn’t live with you, please wear your mask, maintain social distance, wash your hands frequently, and use hand sanitizer. In addition, our partners in local health departments will be monitoring restaurants and other public spaces to be sure our re-opening rules are adhered to.”

So far, ten COVID-19 cases have occurred among Sacred Heart University students living off campus, and more test results are pending. Sacred Heart has approximately 3,000 students living on campus and 2,500 who live off campus in the surrounding communities of Bridgeport, Fairfield and Trumbull. The university has taken the precaution of shutting down campus access for all students today and has notified the campus community, parents and area residents of the situation. Students who test positive are being isolated.

At the University of Connecticut Storrs campus, UConn has been issuing daily updates for the public and campus community about COVID-19 cases on and off campus. Latest published numbers show a total of 89 cumulative positive cases among residential students since they started to arrive for the fall semester. Currently, 67 positive/symptomatic COVID-19 cases are in isolation beds on campus, and 27 cases among commuter students are isolating off campus.

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.