HARTFORD, Conn. —
Dec. 31
No data from the state today. There will be an update on CT's COVID-19 statistics on Monday, Jan. 3
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Saint Francis Hospital will discontinue its drive-through COVID-19 testing site will be closed to the public starting Jan. 3. The drive-through site will remain open to provide COVID-19 testing for Trinity Health Of New England colleagues and for scheduled appointments for pre-procedure or preoperative patients only.
Dec. 30
Healthcare systems update visitor protocols
Middlesex Health locations will be closed to visitors, effective Dec. 31. There are a few exceptions:
- Visitors making compassionate care visits
- Patients with disabilities may have a designated support person to support their disability needs
- Birthing partners for Pregnancy and Birth Center patients
- Parents, guardians or one designated support person for patients under the age of 18
- Clergy visits (Members of the clergy should not visit patients who are on special respiratory precautions unless it is a compassionate visit.)
Trinity Health of New England has updated its visitor policy, which will take effect on Jan. 3.
The policy is as follows:
- 1 fully vaccinated adult visitor per patient, per day on inpatient units. (Compassionate care exceptions may be granted) For minors and neonates, two fully vaccinated parents can visit per patient.
- 1 fully vaccinated adult visitor for patients in the Emergency Department. Visitors in the waiting room may be limited further or not allowed during times of high capacity.
- 1 fully vaccinated adult visitor for patients undergoing surgical procedures. Visitors are allowed during registration/intake and discharge/pickup only.
- No visitors are allowed for patients testing positive for COVID-19 or persons under investigation (PUI) patients except as outlined in compassionate care circumstances.
- Do not visit if you have any symptoms of a cold, the flu, or COVID-19.
- Visitors will need proof of vaccination.
Latest COVID-19 statistics
Gov. Ned Lamont reported on Thursday afternoon Connecticut's latest coronavirus numbers. The state's positivity rate has jumped up to 20.33%.
The figure comes after 7,704 COVID-19 tests returned positive out of a total of 37,891 tests since Wednesday, according to the governor.
An additional 38 people have been hospitalized, bringing the state's total number of patients to 1,151 Of those, 819 (71.2%) are not fully vaccinated.
There have been 83 COVID-related deaths since last Thursday, bringing the state's COVID-19 death toll to 9,160.
2,861,481 Connecticut residents have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,529,899 are fully vaccinated. 990,314 residents have received an additional dose.
Percent of people who have received at least one dose by age group:
- >95% of those over the age of 65
- >95% of those between 55-64
- 88% of those between 45-54
- 89% of those between 35-44
- 83% of those between 25-34
- 77% of those between 18-24
- 82% of those between 16-17
- 75% of those between 12-15
- 34% of those between 5-11
This is the final CT COVID-19 data update for 2021, as there will not be an update on Dec. 31. The state will report the next update on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, and will include data from Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Dec. 29
Yale New Haven Health visitor restrictions
Yale New Haven Health is limiting visitor access to patients at its hospitals and outpatient facilities.
Pediatric patients will only be permitted one guardian at a time. One support person will be permitted in obstetrics. Outpatients will have to meet their loved ones outside to be picked up unless bedside instructions are absolutely necessary.
Effective immediately, there will be no visitation to hospitalized patients. Exceptions will be made at the patient's clinical team's discretion.
These are the only exceptions for visitors, and exceptions do not have to show proof of vaccination:
- ADA – any patient that needs a support person, per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines, are allowed two assigned support people, these two support people cannot be at the bedside at the same time, however, support persons can be present 24 hours a day.
- Imminent End of Life – when a patient is imminently dying, two visitors can be at the beside. While the two visitors cannot swap or switch, they can be together at the bedside.
Visitors are encouraged to connect with their loved ones virtually, such as using FaceTime, Skype, or phone.
Latest COVID-19 statistics
Gov. Ned Lamont reported on Wednesday afternoon Connecticut's latest coronavirus numbers. The state's positivity rate has jumped up to 17.78%.
The figure comes after 7,520 COVID-19 tests returned positive out of a total of 42,295 tests since Tuesday, according to the governor.
An additional 150 people have been hospitalized, bringing the state's total number of patients to 1,113. Of those, 823 (73.9%) are not fully vaccinated.
Dec. 28
Middlesex Community College going remote for last week of 2021
Middlesex Community College will be operating virtually only on Wed., Dec. 29 & Thurs., Dec. 30. Virtual assistance will be available between 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Please use this link for help with Admissions, Advising, Business Office, Financial Aid, and Registration. Employees should check email for details on your work status, officials said.
Gateway Community College going remote for last week of 2021
Gateway Community College announced Tuesday that it will shift to remote operations for the remainder of the week.
Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 29 through Thursday, Dec. 30, only essential (Level 1) employees as previously determined by their respective department leaders should report to campus, officials said.
All other employees should continue to fulfill the requirements of their role remotely.
Employees who need to come to campus to retrieve items necessary to work remotely this week can do so tomorrow (Wednesday) between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Lamont calls up Connecticut National Guard to assist with at-home rapid tests and N95 mask distribution
Gov. Lamont today announced Tuesday that nearly 100 CTNational Guard soldiers and airmen are being called up to assist in the logistical operations for the immediate distribution of the three million COVID-19 at-home rapid tests and six million N95 masks,.
The at-home tests and N95 masks are being distributed by the state to municipalities and school districts.
While ordered to duty, the Connecticut National Guard soldiers and airmen will also perform missions to alleviate the effects caused by the current Omicron variant surge.
“As these at-home tests arrive in Connecticut over these next several days and weeks, the National Guard will help provide support on behalf of the state to ensure that they are distributed to each municipality and school district,” Lamont said. “The Connecticut National Guard has provided an incredible amount of support throughout this pandemic, and I thank them for their ongoing commitment to the residents of our state.”
Major General Francis Evon, adjutant general of the Connecticut National Guard, said the state is facing a challenging time, and it is a time for caution and deliberate action, not worry.
“Our soldiers and airmen have resolutely supported Connecticut and our communities throughout this pandemic. At this point, our COVID-19 response is well-refined, and I have full confidence that Connecticut’s Guard will meet any demand asked of them by the state as they have over the last two years. We are committed to doing whatever it takes to help keep schools open, keep the economy running and keep our neighbors safe.”
Latest COVID-19 statistics
Gov. Ned Lamont reported on Tuesday afternoon Connecticut's latest coronavirus numbers, which also indicated the state's highest positivity rate since before May 2020.
The positivity rate Tuesday is 14.98%. The figure comes after 5,753 COVID-19 tests returned positive out of a total of 38,395 test since yesterday, according to the governor.
An additional 38 people have been hospitalized, bringing the state's total number of patients to 963. Of those, 765 (79.4%) are not fully vaccinated.
Town of West Hartford to distribute more than 8,000 test kits to residents on New Years Eve (two locations)
West Hartford has received 8,010 COVID-19 test kits from state officials, and will distribute them at two drive-through locations on Friday, December 31.
The locations are:
- Conard High School
- King Philip Middle School
Distribution will be from 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., or until supplies are exhausted, officials said.
The Town will distribute one test kit per family member per household, up to a maximum of four. These test kits are for West Hartford residents only (no businesses). Proof of residency will be required.
A portion of the test kits will be reserved for residents in need and distributed by West Hartford Social Services through its weekly food distribution.
Dec. 27
Bristol Hospital Temporarily Suspends ER Visitation
Bristol Hospital announced Monday that visitation for patients in its Emergency Room has temporarily been suspended as a means to protect both patients and staff. Hospital personnel will continually reassess the situation and will make an announcement of when the ER will allow visitors.
There is currently no timetable on when visitation will resume.
Latest COVID-19 statistics
Gov. Ned Lamont reported on Monday afternoon Connecticut's latest coronavirus numbers, which also indicated the state's highest positivity rate since May 2020.
The positivity rate Monday is 10.71%. The figure comes after 14,654 COVID-19 tests returned positive out of a total of 136,857 test since last Thursday, according to the governor .
88 more people have been hospitalized, for a total of 925 patients across the state. Of those, 732 (79.1%) are not fully vaccinated.
Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that his administration plans on distributing three million COVID-19 at-home rapid tests, and six million N95 masks in Connecticut in an effort to help curb rising cases.
According to Lamont, the first allocation will include the distribution of 500,000 iHealth kits. The kits will contain two tests for a total of one million tests. The kits will be designated for the general public.
Distribution of the kits are scheduled to begin on Thursday, December 30, and is expected to run through the following week.
Dec. 26
CT COVID-19 data reporting holiday schedule
Connecticut's next COVID-19 data report will be released on Monday, Dec. 27 and will contain combined data from Friday, Saturday and Sunday. State data was last reported on Thursday, Dec. 23.
COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel but not shopping
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travelers — but it didn’t do much damage to holiday shopping. Airlines canceled hundreds more flights Sunday, citing staffing problems tied to COVID-19, as the nation’s travel woes extended beyond Christmas. There was no clear indication when normal schedules would resume. But shoppers shrugged off the omicron variant, and holiday sales rose at the fastest pace in 17 years. Omicron is likely to slow the economy’s unexpectedly strong rebound from last year’s coronavirus recession and could add more heat to already simmering inflation. But it’s not yet clear how deep the hurt will go or how long it will last.
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