MIDDLETOWN, Conn — Editors note: Governor Lamont said during his press conference Thursday there were 42 towns with a "red alert" status. The numbers released from the state around 6 PM reports 68. The change has been addressed in the article.
Connecticut saw an increase in current hospitalizations by 11 patients, Gov. Lamont reported Thursday. There are now 380 people in the hospital being treated for the virus.
There are now 68 towns that have been issued a COVID-19 'red alert' status due to rises in COVID-19 cases. A town will be considered a red alert risk by having 15 or more positive cases per 100,000 population.
Guidance from CT DPH Public Health Advisory November 05.
- Those over age 60, and anyone with a chronic disease or obesity who are at higher risk for complications of COVID-19 should take extra precautions and limit non-essential trips outside your home;
- Employers should allow work-from-home as much as possible;
- Non-essential social or community gatherings of any size for any reason (e.g., parties, community meetings, celebrations or other social events) must end by 9:30 pm or otherwise be canceled or postponed at this time;
- Everyone must maintain at least a six foot distance from those who do not live with you;
- Everyone must wear a mask whenever you leave home and wear a mask INSIDE your home if someone from outside your household is visiting;
- Everyone should clean their hands frequently using soap and water, hand sanitizer, or isopropyl alcohol wipes. Washing hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds works best. Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands; and
- Families and loved ones should limit visitation to long term care facilities.
Meriden, one of the towns listed, issued an advisory to residents Friday morning that included guidance to help stop community spread.
The state-administered 31,059 tests, and 1,175 came back positive, yielding a positivity rate of about 3.7 percent. There were 11 new reported COVID-19 related deaths, bringing the state death total to 4,656 people. New Haven County has the most hospitalizations with 122 patients.
With the state moving to Phase 2 on Friday, Lamont gave more details on the new regulations. In restaurants, the last service will be at 9:30 pm and the dining room will be closed at 10 pm.
Private gatherings, both indoor and outdoor, will be limited to 10 people.
Lamont discussed sports restrictions for players across the state. There will be no high risk sports games for the rest of 2020 for K-12.
Medium risk sports must wear a mask, and there is a limit on spectators.
On Thursday, the CIAC said it was postponing high school winter sports pending a review from the CT DPH. Part of Connecticut's restrictions included no CT team traveling for out-of-state games and limit spectators.
High risk sports are:
- Wrestling
- 11 on 11 football,
- Boys Lacrosse
- Competitive Cheer
- Dance
- Boxing
- Rugby
- Martial Arts
Medium risk sports:
- Basketball
- Softball
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Baseball
- Ice Hockey
- Field Hockey
- Tennis
- Swimming relays
- Pole vault
- High Jump
- Long jump
- Girls Lacrosse
- Rowing/Crew
- 7 0n 7 football
Governor Ned Lamont held a news conference from Macdonough Elementary School Thursday morning to make an announcement regarding the state's fight against coronavirus.
According to a release, Connecticut is launching a free, rapid COVID-19 testing pilot program in schools across the state.
Those tests will be administered to students and school personnel.
Lamont was joined by the state Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona, Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim, school officials, and other state and local leaders.
Lamont also announced that he has approved the allocation of $3.4 million in grants from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which uses federal CARES Act money, to finance programs in several towns across Connecticut that will be used for homeless shelter improvements, homeless prevention services, and financial assistance for low-income residents at-risk of becoming homeless. Administered by the Connecticut Department of Housing, the grants will provide critically needed assistance to many who have been impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“These grants will be used to ensure the supports are in place for those who are on the verge of becoming homeless and we can rapidly respond to the situations they are facing,” Governor Lamont said. “Having a safe and secure place to call home is a critical component of responding to this public health crisis.”
“When an individual or family is having a housing crisis, we can keep them stably housed in the community and prevent them from entering into homeless service system,” Connecticut Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno said. “This funding increases the capacity to prevent, prepare, and respond to housing needs and pandemic precautions.”