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 Friday, November 20, 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 of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:

For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs 81^st executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 81^st 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. 9M enacts the following provisions:

• DECD authority to enact rules for all sports activities: Expands authority of the commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development to establish mandatory safety rules to all sports.
• Renewals of certain permits extended: To promote compliance with pandemic-related restrictions on sales of liquor, extends the renewal period for certain liquor permits and refunds certain renewal fees already paid.
• Extending authorization for online continuing education for plumbers and electricians: Extends to February 9, 2021 the time during which plumbers and electricians may satisfy continuing education requirements through online learning.
• Extended deadlines for continuing education for plumbers and electricians: Extends to February 9, 2021 the deadline for electricians and plumbers to complete their continuing education requirements while allowing them to renew licenses according to original deadlines.

Updated sector rules released regarding team sports, gyms, and fitness centers

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development today published updated sector rules regarding team sports, as well as gyms and fitness centers. These rules take effect Monday, November 23.

Some of the new rules include:

• All team sporting activities, except collegiate and professional, are prohibited until January 19, 2021.
• All team scrimmages, competitions, camps, clinics, and tournaments including all interscholastic, “pick-up” games, and other informal athletic activities prohibited.
• “Team” is defined as a group of more than four people jointly engaged in an organized or recreational athletic activity on a court, field, etc.
• Masks are now required in all gyms and fitness centers with no exceptions.
• Fitness classes have been reduced to 25 percent capacity.

For the full rules released today, click here.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. 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 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.