HARTFORD, Conn —
Governor Ned Lamont provides an update on Connecticut’s response to COVID-19 Monday afternoon, starting the briefing with the latest testing numbers and new details for the state's travel plan.
During his briefing, the governor announced the following COVID-19 information for the last three days in Connecticut:
- 27,000 tests performed
- 0.6% positivity rate, which shows the number of those who have tested positive for COVID
- 10 more fatalities
- 12 fewer hospitalizations
Gov. Lamont also announced additional details in the state’s travel plan:
- Mandatory 14-day quarantine when traveling to Connecticut from impacted states
- All travelers from impacted states must complete online travel health form
- Applies to all travelers regardless of how they travel to CT
- Spot checks to be conducted at Bradley Airport
- Failure to comply with the quarantine or failure to complete the travel health form could result in a $1,000 fine
For additional information on the state's COVID-19 response, click here.
Monday's briefing follows an announcement from Connecticut’s State Public Health Laboratory that they have uncovered a flaw in one of the testing systems it uses to test for COVID-19. The flaw, which has been reported to both the manufacturer and the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), led to 90 of 144 people tested during June 15 to July 17 receiving a false positive COVID-19 test report.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) says they have taken immediate steps to make sure the patients are notified. DPH said the errant testing results were from a widely-used laboratory testing platform that the state laboratory started using on June 15. The exact cause of the false-positive results is still being investigated.
DPH says overall COVID-19 case numbers for Connecticut will be adjusted downward as a result of these false-positive tests, provided that re-testing still shows the impacted individuals to be negative.
On Friday, the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE) released a Frequently Asked Questions guide for parents, students, and staff to better understand the state's plan.
The 11-page guide covers a variety of topics ranging from school year attendance to size restrictions on cohorts to transportation questions.
Lamont spent a good portion of his press conference Thursday talking about education. He said he is confident the state will have a back to school plan ready to go that will allow children to return to the classroom safely come fall.
According to health officials, this fall could bring a resurgence of COVID-19 activity and if it does Lamont said Connecticut school districts will be ready to protect students, teachers, and staff.
“We’ve shared that [back to school plan] with public health professionals trying to get that point of view on how we’re doing and how I can convince parents and how I can convince teachers, everything we're doing, we’re putting their public health first,” Lamont said.
RELATED: Connecticut State Department of Education releases FAQ for parents about the plan to reopen schools
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) announced Friday inland swimming areas at eight state parks, as well as Seaside State Park and the marsh boardwalk at Silver Sands State Park, will reopen.
They will be open from 8 a.m. to sunset each day.
The eight swimming areas to re-open are:
- Stratton Brook State Park in Simsbury
- Wharton Brook State Park in Wallingford
- Day Pond State Park in Colchester
- Gay City State Park in Hebron
- Chatfield Hollow State Park in Killingworth
- Black Rock State Park in Watertown
- Hopeville Pond State Park in Griswold
- Lake Waramaug State Park in Kent
State officials encourage visitors and swimmers to follow these rules and guidelines, as lifeguards will not be on duty at these locations.
The re-openings are the result of the improved COVID-19 situation in Connecticut and contingent on social distancing and face covering practices, DEEP officials said.