HARTFORD, Conn. — Governor Ned Lamont said the trend lines continue in a "very positive direction," as May 20th nears - the date set for phase one of reopening certain businesses in Connecticut.
During Monday's press briefing, Governor Lamont said the percentage of people testing positive for COVID-19 is less than 10%. He added current hospitalizations decreased by 30 for a total of 1,212.
"I think we're … at about 18-19 days in a row with a 3-day moving average. So that gives you an idea that May 20th is still on our horizon," Governor Lamont said.
Lamont also confirmed that three children are being treated at Yale New Haven Hospital for COVID-19 related illnesses that have been recently brought to light.
In the daily summary, the total number of positive cases increased by 211 to 33,765. More than 3,008 deaths associated with COVID-19 have been recorded. Testing increased by 2,316 with a total of 132,508 tests performed.
Going forward, Governor Lamont said the state will be watching potential flare-ups carefully as things begin to reopen.
"Track and trace is like our fire department. We go after these flare-ups - we're at least able to contain them going forward so we know as we slowly, methodically reopen - we keep it under control," Governor Lamont said.
Governor Lamont also provided an update on a Remdesivir donation, which was shipped to Connecticut and sent out to the state's hospitals. The medication is an antiviral drug, which can help in treating some of the most severely ill COVID-19 patients. He also said the "supply and demand" for PPE is "getting closer to equilibrium."
"The shipment is going out next week directly to all of our nursing homes just to give them a little bit of inventory - a little bit of breathing room," Governor Lamont said.
According to Governor Lamont, there is also a new FDA approved antigen test. He said about 5 million samples will be rolled out a month starting within the next week or so.
"It also a lot less expensive… with a much lower false-positive rate," Governor Lamont said. "So this gives you an idea that are some changes taking place, which are positive."
Governor Lamont invited two members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group to Monday's briefing, including Jan Hochadel, the President of AFT Connecticut, which represents nurses and other health care workers; teachers and school personnel; and public employees, and David Roche, the President of the Connecticut Building Trades.
Hochadel spoke about the future of education in Connecticut. She said several surveys had been done with educators, and one of their main concerns is safety once schools reopen.
"Teachers are not only concerned about their safety, but the safety of their students and everyone who works in the buildings," Hochadel said. "They're also concerned about their families at home. We know that students and adults can be infected with the virus and not actually have symptoms, and then they would spread the virus to others and that could include elderly relatives, members of the family that are immunocompromised."
According to Hochadel, teachers said they would love to return to the classroom as many of those surveyed do not believe distance learning is an effective, long-term method.
"Our students are facing too many obstacles like parents who aren't able to assist their child, the lack of supervision, those that are unable to keep up for various reasons," Hochadel said. "Teachers are definitely telling me that they would love to go back into the classroom, but the safety for themselves, their students and their families have to come first."
Hochadel said protections and protocols are still being discussed including social distancing, testing, and adequate masks and PPE. Officials are also holding conversations about what school transportation could look like.
"We're going to have to limit the number of students on a bus," Hochadel said. "And they’ll have to wear masks and they're going to have specific seats."
David Roche also spoke at Monday's briefing. He focused on construction sites, which have been open since the start of the pandemic. Roche said initially, there was apprehension about job sites staying open because "they aren't the cleanest places in the world." However, he said an executive order from Governor Lamont helped get protections into place early on.
He said going forward, workers will need to continue to follow those protocols.
"We don't anybody to start getting lazy and say 'everything's good now.' We don't need to have any more infections, and we want to get building Connecticut again like we should be," said Roche.
Governor Lamont and his Chief Operating Officer, Josh Geballe, also addressed growing concerns about dental practices. Many dental hygienists have reached out to FOX61 saying they feel its unsafe for them to return to work for what many consider non-essential procedures like teeth cleanings.
FOX61's Zinnia Maldonado asked, "What job protection do hygienists… have when so many feel like they have to choose between their job, being employed, or being safe from COVID and not going to work?"
"As you know, we're working very closely with the Dental Association - talking to hygienists. We never closed down dentistry - at least kept it open for emergency purposes. This is a complicated one," Governor Lamont explained.
Josh Geballe then responded, "We've heard a number of those concerns. As a result, we're putting together a small group that will include representatives both of the Connecticut Dental Association as well as some hygienists to sit down and talk about the concerns, see if there is consensus, and how we would move forward, and if additional rules and restrictions are appropriate at this time."
FOX61's Zinnia Maldonado followed up by saying, "Many hygienists want to go back to work, but just not right now. Would you, Governor, reconsider pushing that time frame that dentists are allowed to reopen for non-emergency procedures to a later phase?"
Governor Lamont replied, "I'm inclined to let it play out a little bit - let me tell you why. I think you're going to find like most of these store openings we're talking about - the consumer, in this case, folks going in for a dental checkup, are going to be slow to go in. I think it's not going to be at full capacity. I think a lot of the hygienists who don't want to go in won't have to go in because there won't be demand at this point. If I find I'm wrong on that - we'll have to take a second look at it."