COVID-19 Update

March 18, 2020

Governor Lamont's most recent update on the state's coronavirus response efforts is available.

Key Points:

  • As of Tuesday, an additional 27 Connecticut residents tested positive, bringing the total positive cases reported in the state to 68.
  • On Tuesday, Governor Lamont signed another executive order taking actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, this one:
    • Makes modifications to the governor’s previously enacted waiver of the 180-day school year to grant broader flexibility to school districts.
    • Allows police departments to limit or eliminate fingerprinting for background checks.
    • Extends expiration dates for permits, licenses, and other credentials administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
    • Suspends the requirement that public assistance benefit overpayments be immediately recouped.
    • Suspend in-person hearing attendance requirements for certain hearings conducted by the Department of Social Services.
  • Department of Economic and Community Development is launching the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit to aid businesses in economic recovery.
  • Department of Banking issued guidance to state-chartered banks and credit unions.
  • Connecticut Hospital Association is working with the Department of Public Health to ensure adequate hospital space to meet the needs of patients.
  • As blood drives have been canceled nationwide to mitigate the spread of the virus, the Red Cross of Connecticut is seeking donors to call ahead and make appointments that will allow for social distancing.
  • The Office of Early Childhood is actively working to ensure childcare remains available for healthcare staff and first responders.
  • The Department of Motor Vehicles is suspending in-person visits at all of their branches. Certain deadlines are being extended, and customers are also encouraged to conduct transactions online.
  • The Department of Revenue Services is suspending in-person visits at all of their offices.
  • The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is suspending enforcement activities at bottle collection facilities, giving stores discretion to shut them down. They are also suspending in-person visits at their main office.
  • Attorney General Tong has received 71 complaints about price gouging on basic supplies.
  • The Department of Social Services has suspended in-person visits at all of their facilities.

You can find Tuesday's press release here.

A couple other notes:

  • What do you do if you don't have insurance, feel you have symptoms of COVID-19 and don't have a primary care doctor to consult? You can always call 2-1-1. A number of hospitals have also set up hotlines. A complete list is on the Hospital Association’s website: https://cthosp.org/covid-19-update-center/.
  • AARP is providing information and resources to help older people and caregivers protect themselves from the virus, prevent its spread and navigate this evolving situation. You can find AARP's coronavirus resources at www.aarp.org/coronavirus.
  • Pets are an important part of our families and people need to have a plan in place for them during this time which includes food and veterinary services. You can find COVID-19 guidance and FAQs for pet care (http://lil.ms/3nv8/36xwil) and a toolkit for animal shelters (http://lil.ms/3nv7/36xwil).

  • The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) is implementing changes in Medicaid/HUSKY Health that will support Connecticut’s COVID-19 preparedness and response through increased access to health services. For approximately 850,000 enrolled residents, DSS will now cover identified telemedicine services.

Emergency Telemedicine Details