August 6
Hospitalizations increase by almost 20 patients
Governor Ned Lamont's office released the most recent COVID-19 statistics for Connecticut showing a high positivity rate and an increase in hospitalizations.
There were 20,772 tests reported administered and 731 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 3.52%.
Hospitalizations have increased by almost 20 patients since Thursday. There are now 174 patients in the hospital being treated for COVID-19.
Yale New Haven Heath updates visitor policy
Yale New Haven Heath announced this week the decision to reduce visitor access to one visitor per day during specific hours for non-COVID positive patients at all hospitals.
According to a spokesperson for the health system, the change is in place effective Monday and is due to the rising COVID numbers in the state and nationwide.
"We understand the hardship this places on patients and their families and will make every effort to accommodate exemptions for certain patients on a case-by-case basis," officials said in a statement.
The policy will vary by hospital. More information is forthcoming.
August 5
Hospitalizations, positivity rate down Thursday
Connecticut reported on Thursday a decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations and a positivity rate under 3%.
There were 18,065 tests administered and 492 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of about 2.72%.
Hospitalizations decreased by 8 patients, bringing the total COVID-19 patients in Connecticut to 155.
Since July 29, there have been three COVID-19 related deaths. The state death toll is now at 8,296.
As of August 5, Connecticut now has 2,178,186 residents who are fully vaccinated. Last week, the number was 2,161,166.
Middlesex Health to require employees to get vaccinated
MIDDLETOWN — Middlesex Health will require all their employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by November 1 unless they are granted an exemption or deferral.
The mandate also applies to all members of the medical staff and to volunteers, students, vendors and contractors.
“As an organization, we believe this is the right thing to do,” says Middlesex Health President and CEO Vincent G. Capece, Jr. “The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and the decision to mandate vaccinations was made with the health and safety of our patients, staff and visitors in mind.”
Several organizations, including the Connecticut Hospital Association, the American Hospital Association and the American Nurses Association, have announced that they support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers. With this announcement, Middlesex Health becomes the latest health system in Connecticut to impose such a mandate
Wesleyan University mask mandate
According to the Wesleyan Argus, students will be required to wear masks in all university buildings regardless of vaccination status this semester.
August 4
Positivity rate for Wednesday increases to 3.35%, hospitalizations decrease
Connecticut reported on Wednesday that it had administered 16,037 tests and 537 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of about 3.35%.
Hospitalizations have decreased slightly since Tuesday. There are now 163 patients being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital.
The County with the most hospitalizations in New Haven County with 52 patients. Hartford County has 45 patients.
Westport reinstates mask requirement in municipal buildings
Westport town officials are putting new safety protocols in place at Town Hall, the Westport Library and other town facilities effective Thursday, August 5.
Town officials outlined these guidelines:
- Staff, visitors and patrons of all town buildings including the Library will be required to wear a mask regardless of individual vaccination status.
- Walk-ins will continue to be allowed in Town Hall. Town Hall Staff are required to check their temperature upon entering work for the day. Visitors must follow contact tracing, mask requirements, temperature checks and other safety protocols upon entering. As an alternative, it is recommended that the public consider the town’s online services or other options for in-person meetings. Town Hall meetings can also be held outside at the picnic table in the rear of the building or in the lobby.
- Town and Library employees will return to weekly testing for COVID for their safety and for the safety of any visitors.
- First Responders will return to COVID protocols by wearing masks when interacting with the public indoors, regardless of vaccination status.
August 3
West Hartford reinstates mask requirement in municipal buildings
Beginning on August 4, the Town of West Hartford will implement a mask requirement for municipal buildings.
Visitors along with employees must wear a mask when they enter a municipal building and public areas within the buildings like hallways.
"We are taking this action due to the increase in positive cases of Covid-19; Hartford County has now reached levels of “substantial community transmission.” We believe that the mask requirement is consistent with the guidelines issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health and the CDC.," said town officials in a written statement.
Town officials added they will monitor the rates of COVID-19 transmission and make any policy changes accordingly.
Hospitalizations increase again, positivity rate under 3% Tuesday
Governor Ned Lamont's office released Connecticut's latest COVID-19 statistics Tuesday showing another increase in hospitalizations.
There were 17 new COVID-19 patients reported since the weekend. There are now 165 patients in the hospital, with 55 from New Haven County.
Connecticut administered 11,253 tests and 277 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 2.46%.
The state's total cases and tests reported were marked with an asterisk on Tuesday, showing a catch-up reporting from May. There was an additional 21,000 tests administered which resulted in 307 positive cases from this time period.
August 2
Hospitalizations, positivity rate increase over the weekend
Connecticut reported on Monday that the positivity rate and hospitalizations increased.
The state administered 39,189 tests and 1,245 came back positive. The positivity rate from July 30 to August 2 was 3.18%.
Hospitalizations have increased by 32 patients since Friday. There are now 148 patients being treated for COVID-19 in the hospital. The county with the most hospitalizations in New Haven County with 50 patients.
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East Hartford is reinstituting face mask requirements for everyone using town facilities regardless of their vaccination status. The change comes following the increased COIVD-19 infection rate.
The East Hartford Health Department strongly encourages all businesses and organizations to comply with the mask mandate in public indoor settings. There will be remote services offered for those who are unable to comply with the mask mandate. Information on remote services is available on the Town website at www.easthartfordct.gov or by calling the Town Hall at 860-291-7100.
Masks required in Mansfield town buildings
The Town of Mansfield announced they will be requiring masks for all employees and visitors to any town buildings. The town cites the latest guidance for Tolland County as well as the CDC report stating there is 'substantial transmission' in the county.
July 29
COVID-19 Hospitalizations, related deaths increase
Connecticut again has seen an increase in hospitalizations and cases as the state begins to see a surge in COVID-19.
On Thursday, Connecticut reported it administered 14,401 tests and 339 came back positive. The positivity rate was about 2.35%, which is slightly less than Wednesday.
Hospitalizations increased by nine patients, bringing the total number to 112. This is the highest number of hospitalizations in weeks.
Since July 22, there have been seven COVID-19 related deaths. The state death toll has now reached 8,293 people.
There are now 2,161,166 residents who are fully vaccinated. This is a slight increase from July 22 when there were 2,142,821 residents.
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