HARTFORD, Conn —
March 18
Positivity rate stays under 3%, hospitalizations increase
Connecticut administered 42,075 tests and 1,207 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 2.87%.
Hospitalizations increased by almost 20 people since Thursday. There are now 402 patients being treated for the virus.
There are 10 more reported COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the death toll to 7,832.
Stanley Golf course in New Britain to open March 22
As Connecticut begins to open its businesses and other venues, Stanley Golf Course will be opening this season on Monday, March 22 at 9 a.m.
New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart will hit the first ball followed by Chairman Patrick Dorsey, and Golf Professional Howie Friday. Those looking to golf on Monday will be subjected to first come, first served.
Starting on Tuesday, March 23, Stanley will be open on weekdays starting at 8 a.m. and weekends at 7 a.m. Starting procedure will also be first come, first served.
“Obviously many things were negatively impacted in 2020 in dealing with the coronavirus. However, one bright light was our beautiful Stanley Golf Course had a record-setting year!”, said Mayor Erin Stewart. “The golf industry is soaring right now and we expect another banner year in 2021!”
For more click here.
Positivity rate, hospitalizations decline as vaccinations increase
Connecticut administered 41,904 tests and 1,156 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 2.76%. Hospitalizations also dropped by 18 patients since Wednesday. There are now 384 people in the hospital being treated for COVID-19.
There were 15 new reported COVID-19 related deaths Thursday bringing the death toll to 7,822 people.
The state continues to vaccinate its population well with 33% of all adults age 16 or older have received the first dose.
Connecticut has administered 1,467,233 doses of the vaccine. Yale's Dr. Albert Ko was cautiously optimistic regarding the vaccines, citing a CDC study that showed the COVID-19 vaccine was extremely effective.
Dr. Ko was still concerned about the various variants that have been discovered in Connecticut. He added that Connecticut found its first case of the P1 variant, which was first discovered in Brazil.
The P1 variant was found in New Haven County.
Connecticut has reported 283 cases of the B117 variant which was discovered in the U.K. and 7 cases of the B1351 variant, which was discovered in South Africa.
Eastern to offer in-person graduation ceremony for Class of 2020
On Sunday, May 16, 2021, at 10 a.m., Eastern Connecticut State University will hold in-person Commencement Exercises for the Class of 2020. The event will take place on the Windham Technical High School athletic field, adjacent to Eastern's campus.
In May 2020, due to COVID-19 Eastern's 2020 graduation program was a virtual event streamed on YouTube. This year's in-person ceremonies will provide last year's class with an opportunity to experience a traditional Commencement.
"In spring 2020 our nation was in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, with communities in lock down and college campuses vacated," said Eastern President Elsa Núñez. "The Class of 2020 faced many challenges a year ago - leaving campus on March 13 for the balance of the semester, finishing their senior year online, and attending a virtual graduation ceremony in lieu of a traditional in-person Commencement celebration. We want to make it up to them!"
To ensure the safety of the Class of 2020 and their guests, Eastern will be following strict social distancing protocols and other current guidelines of the CDC and Connecticut State Department of Public Health. Graduates will be limited to two (2) guests each, and tickets will be required. The May 16, 2021, ceremony will take place rain or shine.
March 17
Positivity rate, hospitalizations down
The latest COVID-19 statistics were released by Gov. Lamont office's Wednesday showing a decline in positivity rate and hospitalizations.
Connecticut administered 15,362 tests and 373 came back positive. The positivity rate for Wednesday was 2.43%, almost half of what it was on Tuesday.
Hospitalizations continued to decline. Connecticut now has 402 people being treated for COVID-19.
There were eight new COVID-19 related deaths reported Wednesday, bringing the death toll to 7,807 people.
No Sailfest New London
Sailfest New London announced that the event, originally scheduled for July, will not be happening this year.
Barbara J. Neff, Executive Director of the Downtown New London Associations and owner of Neff Productions stated “we don’t think it will come as a surprise to anyone that we will not be able to have Sailfest in July. The good news is, the Sailfest team is working with the City of New London to have five smaller events this summer. We are still in the planning stage and will announce the events soon.
March 16
Positivity rate rises to 4.96%, hospitalizations down
Connecticut administered 17,203 tests since Monday and 853 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 4.96%. This is the highest positivity rate for the state in weeks.
Hospitalizations decreased by four patients bringing the total number of people being treated for the virus to 403 patients.
There were 11 new reported COVID-19 related deaths on Tuesday. Connecticut's state death toll has reached 7,799 people.
QU to lift COVID-19 restrictions
In a letter to students, Quinnipiac announced it will be slowly reopening certain activities emphasizing outdoor ones.
Starting on March 10, a residential student can host another residential student with the consent of the roommate. Visitors will be allowed between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. and must wear a face mask at all times while social distancing.
In addition, students can attend outdoor sports and the shuttle service will be restored at 50% capacity. Also, two parents of each student-athletes will be allowed to support their child.
On March 16, residential students living in QU housing can play 2v2 or 3v3 basketball games with their roommates only and must wear a mask.
QU will be offering university-sponsored events starting March 17.
Upcoming VA Connecticut COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics
VA Connecticut Healthcare System is offering COVID-19 vaccine to eligible enrolled veterans regardless of age. Depending on location, VA Connecticut patients will receive either the two-dose Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
Upcoming Clinics:
Walk-in clinic at the West Haven Annex, 200 Edison Road/Pez Blvd. in Orange
- March 16 from 1 to 3:45pm
- March 18-19 from 1 to 3:45pm
Walk-in Clinic at the West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Firm B, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
- Saturday, March 20 from 10am-4pm
Scheduled appointments at the West Haven campus, 950 Campbell Avenue, Firm B, Bldg. 2, 2nd floor
- Saturday, March 20 from 8am-10am
- Call 203-932-5711 ext. 5627, 7784 or 7754 to schedule an appointment.
Oswegatchie School, 470 Boston Post Road in Waterford
- March 17 from 8am to 5pm
- Call 203-932-5711 ext. 5627, 7784 or 7754 to schedule an appointment.
Key Information for Attendees:
- Eligible veterans (any age) must be enrolled for care with VA to receive the vaccine.
- Veterans can apply online at https://www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/.
- We are administering the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. Location will determine which vaccine you receive.
- Availability is first come, first served at walk-in clinics.
- Mask and physical distancing required. To maintain physical distancing, if possible, please don’t bring anyone with you to the clinic.
March 15
Positivity rate remains low, hospitalizations increase
Connecticut administered 85,569 tests over the weekend and 2,525 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of 2.95%.
Hospitalizations did increase by 26 people since last Friday bringing the total number of patients in the state being treated for the virus to 407.
Connecticut's death toll increased by 23 people. The state's death toll has increased to 7,788 people.
The state continues to vaccinate well with 1,379,497 doses being administered as of Monday. Gov. Lamont said 59% of people 55 or older have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Gov. Lamont visits Bridgeport vaccination clinic
Governor Ned Lamont, joined by healthcare professionals, will visit Cathedral of the Holy Spirit in Bridgeport Monday.
At the site, Yale-New Haven Health is operating a COVID-19 vaccination clinic for members of the church’s congregation.
The governor said that pop-up clinics like this are critical in the state’s efforts to address equity.
No school in Southington
In a note home to the community, Superintendent Tim Connellan announced Southington Public Schools will close on an emergency basis Monday.
Connellan said some district teachers received the Johnson and Johnson COVID-19 vaccine at a Hartford Healthcare vaccination clinic on Sunday.
The closure is just in case many experience side effects.
Officials say schools in Southington will make the day up in June.
Waterbury Schools move to full-day instruction
Students and teachers in the Brass City are set to return to classroom for full-day instruction on Monday.
The full-day schedule will be followed by both in-person and remote students and the superintendent says their hope is to operate on a full day schedule for the rest of the year.
How it'll work:
The school district also says that the food service department will continue to distribute meals to remote learning students.
--
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
