Josh Elliott

A county-by-county breakdown includes: 
 

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, click here.

Governor Lamont signs 47^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 47^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7TT enacts the following provisions:

• Reopening of barbershops and hair salons on June 1: Permits barbershops and hair salons to resume operations on June 1, 2020, provided that they follow sector rules that have been issued by the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development.
• Amended prohibitions on large gatherings: Relaxes the previously enacted limits on large gatherings. Effective June 1, 2020:
  • Limits on all social and recreational gatherings are raised to 10 people indoors and 25 people outdoors, subject to safety restrictions and existing orders and business sector rules.
  • Limits on all religious, spiritual, and worship gatherings are raised to 25 percent of capacity of the indoor space or a maximum of 100 people, whichever is smaller, and to 150 people for outdoor gatherings, provided in each case that appropriate safety and social distancing measures are employed.

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7TT

Utility shut-off moratorium for businesses extended through July 1; Residential shut-off moratorium continues for duration of emergency

The Connecticut Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) today announced that the utility shut-off moratorium for non-residential customers in the state will continue through July 1, 2020. The separate utility shut-off moratorium for residential customers remains in place for the duration of the public health and civil preparedness emergency declared by Governor Lamont. Both moratoriums apply to customers of all electric, natural gas, and water utilities regulated by PURA, and prohibit service terminations except in instances of public safety.

In addition, PURA continues to warn customers of a recent uptick in utility-related scams. Customers should always use caution when receiving any solicitation pertaining to their utility bill and are encouraged to call their utility company directly with questions or concerns. Connecticut’s regulated electric, natural gas, and water public utility companies are currently not terminating service due to nonpayment for as long as the emergency shut-off moratoriums remain in place.

For more information, read the press release issued today by PURA.

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) provides the following information in response to the many questions and concerns that it is receiving from youth camps pertaining to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Youth camps should continue to review the memos issued by the OEC that provide important guidance for youth camps including waivers of licensing requirements during the declared state of emergency.

Day camps that were operating as of May 5, 2020 may continue to operate and shall implement the guidelines below. Other day camps, not currently operating, may not begin operation until June 22, 2020.

The following requirements must be included in a camp’s plan for operating during this public health emergency:

Health Screening

• All staff and children are required to be screened for any observable illness, including cough or respiratory distress, and to confirm temperature below 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Staff or children who have a temperature greater than 100 degrees are not permitted into the program per Executive Order 7Q. Programs may ask parents to take their child’s temperature upon arrival. Disinfection of the thermometer should be incorporated into the screening procedures. When conducting screening, the camp should consider the following.
  • The health screener does not need to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) if a distance of 6 feet is maintained while performing this action.
  • Maintaining sufficient distance, or a physical barrier, between the health screener and the child or staff member being screened is recommended.
  • If social distancing or barrier/partition controls cannot be implemented during screening, PPE must be used when within 6 feet of a child. However,reliance on PPE alone is a less effective control measure and more difficult to implement given PPE shortages and training requirement.

Masks/Social Distancing/Workplace Safety

• Use of a mask or cloth face covering for each employee at all times while in the workplace as directed by the Department of Economic Development Safe Workplace Rules for Essential Employees per Executive Order 7BB is required. Instructions for use of cloth face covering are available from the CDC.
• Appropriate social distancing strategies shall be implemented. Social distancing is required, and may take many forms as outlined by CDC with a dedicated section for “social distancing strategies” in its guidance for child care programs that remain open.

Hand/Respiratory Hygiene/Enhanced Cleaning and Disinfection

• Regular hand washing by staff and children with soap and water for at least 20 seconds should be done:
  1. Before coming in contact with any child
  2. Before and after eating
  3. After sneezing, coughing or nose blowing
  4. After using the rest room
  5. Before handling food
  6. After touching or cleaning surfaces that may be contaminated
  7. After using any shared equipment like toys, computer keyboards, mouse
• If soap and water are not available, alcohol-based hand sanitizer shall be used. Use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers should always be supervised by adults.

Group Size

• Group size shall be limited to no more than 10 children, and permission from OEC shall be obtained to serve more than 30 children per Memo #15, Reduced Group Size and Enhanced Health Procedures for Child Care Programs During COVID-19 Emergency.

Reporting COVID-19 Cases

• If a child or staff member who has been present in the program is diagnosed with COVID-19, the camp must notify families and staff of the program about the exposure. Those required to report such diseases must report cases of COVID-19 infection immediately to the Connecticut Department of Public Health and to the local department of health in the town of residence. The COVID-19 report form is available on the DPH website.

Transportation

• Prior to providing transportation at the start of the day to any child, such children shall be screened for any observable illness and to confirm temperature is below 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
• While transporting children in care, the current guidance regarding group size, the wearing of a mask or cloth face covering and social distancing apply.

It is important to understand that the COVID-19 emergency is a changing situation, and that as CDC and/or State of CT guidance changes, the OEC will update guidance to providers.