Geraldo Reyes Jr

I hope you are continuing to stay strong because we will get through this together. Here is the latest on COVID-19 data, resources, and words of encouragement from local, national, and world leaders.

For several additional charts and tables containing more data groups, including a town-by-town breakdown of positive cases in each municipality and a breakdown of cases and deaths among age groups, click here.

Positivity for the Future

“As the state gets ready for a return to school, please make sure to adhere to the safe practices as recommended by the CDC and State of Connecticut. Please use precaution with the children, explain the importance of wearing a mask and be upfront with them!” - State Rep. Geraldo Reyes

Guidance for decision-making regarding the use of in-person, hybrid (blended), or remote learning models in Connecticut schools during COVID-19

The Connecticut Department of Public Health (DPH) and State Department of Education (SDE) have developed a framework and key metrics based on a combination considerations to guide local district decision-making on the use of remote versus in-person learning for the fall. This includes indicators of the spread and prevalence of COVID-19 in the community, as well as the physical and operational ability of schools to implement strategies to mitigate spread.

Adapted from recommendations by the Harvard Global Institute and supplemented by existing DPH measures, DPH and SDE recommend using the number of new cases, adjusted for population, as the key leading metric for community spread with suggested thresholds for differential risk categories. Each week, DPH, SDE, and local health departments will review the public health data and make any recommended changes between the “low,” “moderate,” and “high” categories by county. Leading and secondary indicators will also be updated by DPH on a weekly basis.

The data is published online and made available as part of the State of Connecticut’s Open Data portal.

The “low” and “moderate” categories indicate conditions in the area are appropriate for schools to provide at least a partial in-school option to students. For districts in the “low” or “moderate” categories that decide not to provide an in-school option, an exception review is required from a panel with representatives from the SDE, DPH, and the State Board of Education. As district and building-level decisions will ultimately be made at the local level, superintendents should consider developing an advisory group consisting of their school medical advisor, local health director, and school nurse leader to consult and inform decision-making.

The Energy and Tech committee will be having our virtual information forum on Thursday, August 27th. Agenda will be released when it is finalized. The forum is being called to discuss the rate increases and storm response.

The committee will be receiving written testimony only from the public. If you or someone you know would like to submit written testimony please follow the directions below:

For Written Testimony please submit a Word Doc or PDF to - ETTestimony here.

The programs, Temporary Rental Housing Assistance (TRHAP) and Temporary-Mortgage Assistance (T-MAP) Programs, opened on July 15.

Temporary Rental Housing Assistance Program:

• Initial priority for TRHAP assistance will be targeted at individuals and families who have been denied unemployment assistance from the Department of Labor. 
• Individuals who are unemployed or under-employed and who have not yet filed for unemployment assistance should file for as soon as possible.
• Individuals who would like to speak to a Call Center Representative to determine their eligibility for TRHAP assistance can call 1-860-785-3111, or they may click the button below:

• The program will provide up to $10,000 in emergency loan funds for low and moderate income homeowners to pay their housing costs.
• Eligible households with incomes at or below 120 percent of the area median income will be eligible to apply for up to $25,000 in the form of a second mortgage loan.
• Individuals who would like to speak with a Call Center Representative to determine their eligibility and apply should call 1-860-785-3111 or click the button below: