CONNECTICUT, USA — Updates from the fight against COVID-19 here in Connecticut
Key Facts
- Bridgeport Hospital implements new visitor restrictions
- Sen. Blumenthal calls on Trump administration for pandemic help
- Connecticut launches official COVID-19 exposure notification app
Nov. 13
Gov. Lamont says Connecticut's infection rate rose again
Governor Lamont reported Friday afternoon that the COVID-19 positivity rate is at 6.4%.
Of 43,078 tests performed, 2,746 came back positive.
Connecticut saw an increase of 43 patients since Wednesday, bringing the total hospitalizations to 659 people.
There were 11 new COVID-19 related deaths. Connecticut's COVID-19 related death toll has now reached 4,737.
More Bridgeport Public Schools going remote:
A spokesperson for Bridgeport schools released a list of six more schools in Bridgeport going to remote learning on November 16.
The schools are Barnum, Blackham, Columbus, Edison, Fairchild Wheeler IT, and Waltersville.
Bridgeport Hospital implements visitor access restrictions.
Bridgeport Hospital has announced visitor restrictions as COVID-19 continues to spread in the state.
To prevent the spread of the disease and to protect the health and safety of patients, visitors and staff will follow the restrictions beginning Saturday, November 14. Read more about them here.
Nov. 12
Regional 4 District to move remote learning until November 30
Due to a rising amount of COVID-19 cases in the area, Regional 4 District will be moving its schools to full remote e-learning until November 30. The school system has 23 staff members and 123 students PreK-12 required to quarantine with various return dates. Grab and Go meals will be available for pickup outside of schools Monday through Friday 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Connecticut's positivity rate 4.82%, hospitalizations increase by 33 patients
Governor Ned Lamont office's released the latest COVID-19 statistics Thursday, showing another increase in positivity rate and hospitalizations.
There were 24,001 tests administered and 1,158 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 4.82 percent. Connecticut saw an increase of 33 patients since Tuesday, bringing the total hospitalizations to 617 people.
There were 10 new COVID-19 related deaths. Connecticut's COVID-19 related death toll has now reached 4,726.
Lamont also spoke about recommendations for Thanksgiving, asking people traveling to quarantine for 14 days, students taking precautions to go home, and people over 60-years-old to try and stay home as much as they can.
When asked why CT is not getting back into lockdown, Lamont said the point is well taken. Officials are watching very closely and cited hospitalizations are a key metric. About 100 towns in the state have been issued a 'Red Alert' status or have 15 or more cases per 100K population.
Bridgeport Public Schools to begin remote learning on November 23
The Superintendent of Bridgeport public schools Mike Testani announced today that public schools will move to remote learning starting on November 23. The announcement comes in response to an increase in persons impacted or testing positive for COVID-19. The decision was in consultation with the Superintendent, the city's health director, as well as other city leaders including the BOE.
Some Westport Schools to go remote
Westport Public Schools Superintendent Tom Scarice announced that Bedford and Coleytown Middle Schools and Staples High School will be operating on a full remote teaching model for all students and staff Thursday and Friday The potential reopening of these schools will be considered for Monday, November 16. This decision is based on the volume of new COVID cases that limit the schools’ ability to open for in-school learning.
Connecticut launches official COVID-19 exposure notification app
The app for Apple and Android mobile devices, informs users if they may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 – all without sharing any personal information.
“We’re making every effort to stop the spread of COVID-19 in Connecticut,” Governor Lamont said. “This app is another tool to make sure that every resident of our state has what they need to combat this pandemic from the ground up. This app also complements – but doesn’t replace – our broader contact tracing program, which is an invaluable resource in combating the pandemic and ensuring those who need it have the tools necessary to self-isolate or quarantine.”
Here's how the app works:
- First, users should visit ct.gov/covidalertct, where they can find instructions on how to download the app for their specific device.
- Once installed, the app uses Bluetooth to sense whether a user’s device has been within 6 feet of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 for a total of 15 minutes or more in one day – without sharing any personal information.
- If a user has been near another person who has tested positive and is also using the app on their personal device, an alert will be triggered notifying the user that they may have been exposed to COVID-19.
- A notification will not be triggered if two devices in this scenario are just passing by for a short duration or stay more than 6 feet away from each other.
If a user tests positive:
- A contact tracer from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, their local health department, or their higher education institution will ask them if they are willing to share the “close contact” codes their app has logged while they may have been contagious.
- If the user agrees, a contract tracer will provide them with a verification code.
- Once that code is submitted through the user’s app, those individuals who came within 6 feet of that user for more than 15 minutes and who also are using the app will receive a notification on their device that they were in close contact with someone with COVID-19.
- Sharing this status is secure and private. The app will never reveal who the user is to anyone else.
Walmart in Hartford closed for cleaning
The Hartford Supercenter location at 495 Flatbush Avenue is temporarily closed Thursday as part of a company-initiated program to allow third party cleaning crews time to thoroughly clean and sanitize the building, officials said.
The store will reopen Friday, November 13 at 7 a.m.
In addition to cleaning, store associates will take time to restock shelves and prepare for Friday.
Officials said:
We have a number of protocols in place to keep stores safe for customers and associates. This includes temp screenings/masking for associates, proper social distancing signage and overnight deep cleaning measures.
The decision to temporarily close a store for further sanitization comes from a number of criteria our teams monitor daily and can’t be confined to just “one reason.” At this time, the Flatbush store is the only Hartford location that was temporarily closed.
Ansonia Public Schools moving to remote learning
On Friday, November 13, APS will end in-person instruction and move to remote classes starting on Monday, November 16.
Dr. Joseph DiBacco, Superintendent of Schools said in a letter that classes are expected to be held in the remote setting until January 18, 2021.
According to officials, the district's PreK programs at AMS and Mead will communicate separately with their families.
To read further information about the change to remote learning, click here.
Sen. Blumenthal calls on Trump administration for pandemic help
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), joined by St. Francis Hospital, will urge the Trump administration to invoke the Defense Production Act and Congress pass a pandemic relief package to addresses the tightening availability of COVID-19 testing supplies and PPE as cases surge throughout the nation. The press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m.
Nov. 11
State releases COVID-19 numbers
According to Gov. Ned Lamont's office, as of Wednesday, the state's positivity rate was at 4.76%; 36 more people were in the hospital, making a total of 584; and there were nine more deaths.
Wethersfield Highcrest Grade 6 - Shift to Full Remote Learning
Grade 6 students at Highcrest School in Wethersfield will move to full remote learning starting Thursday, November 12th through Wednesday, November 18th due to a staffing shortage that has occurred as a result of multiple members of the school staff being quarantined due to possible COVID-19 exposure at school.
