State Capitol update for the week of January 4
January 7, 2021Yesterday the Connecticut legislature was sworn in, and I proudly began my second term representing the 64th District in the General Assembly. I have come to savor my drive into the state’s capital, as the different routes I take bring me through seven out of the nine towns in the district, past homes, businesses, and farms that I have come to know, past libraries, town halls, town greens, coffee shops where I’ve met with so many of you. Yesterday’s drive, at sunrise, with a covering of snow, filled me with optimism and excitement about the term ahead.
On the way in, I heard from many colleagues concerned about the rhetoric surrounding anticipated protests in Hartford, but, as events unspooled, those who came to the Capitol to protest were able to freely express their views, while the Capitol Police kept everyone safe by drawing firm and appropriate limitations, and allowing the sacred proceeding of swearing in 151 newly elected representatives in the House to happen in a more or less traditional way – though it’s been awhile since we’ve had to do it outdoors.
That swearing in ceremony was followed by a powerful set of speeches from our newly elected legislative leadership. The relationships between the leaders of both parties, crafted over many conversations negotiating difficult issues over the years, were foregrounded with pride. Their mutual respect was deep, specific, and authentic. I listened to the speeches from my new office in the Public Safety suite (where I moved after becoming Co-Chair), and afterwards I had a long conversation with the senior House Republican on the committee, whose office is across from mine. We were both moved by those words, which mattered to us, and we shared our common response: it inspired both of us to work harder, and together, to do our work on behalf of our constituents and the state.
That is the antithesis of what we have seen happening in Washington. The attack on the Capitol was, to use former President George W. Bush’s word, insurrectionist. But beyond that, the words that encouraged, and directly led up to, this behavior, including those from the elected leader of our country, matter: they have real, and predictable consequences. I confess to being frustrated at hearing some ask, “How can this happen?” We know the answer, and I hope that this shocking moment in our country’s history inspires a reckoning which is overdue.
I thank you for the privilege of returning to Hartford to represent all of you, your families, and your businesses. It will be a challenging year, but our responsibilities are clear and I’m looking forward to getting to work.
For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
Two cases of COVID-19 variant confirmed in Connecticut
Governor Lamont today announced that public health officials in Connecticut have confirmed that the first two cases of the COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 have been detected in the state. This is the same variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom.
The two individuals are between the ages of 15 and 25 and both reside in New Haven County. Both individuals recently traveled outside Connecticut – one to Ireland and the other to New York State – and both developed symptoms within 3 to 4 days of their return. Genetic sequencing of the virus has confirmed that the two cases are unrelated. The individuals’ specimens were collected earlier this month and subsequently tested positive.
To determine if the U.K. variant is present in Connecticut, the State Public Health Laboratory (SPHL) started an enhanced surveillance testing strategy last week. The SPHL is working with Yale and Jackson Laboratories to conduct genomic sequencing on portions of COVID-19 positive specimens submitted to the SPHL by clinical diagnostic laboratories in the state. The genomic sequencing of the individuals’ samples was conducted by Yale, and the SPHL was notified when the UK variant was discovered.
The Connecticut Department of Public Health has notified the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about the cases.
Both persons were interviewed by contact tracers soon after they were diagnosed and their close contacts were identified at that time. They are in the process of being re-interviewed by public health officials in light of the identification of the UK variant as the cause of their illnesses. One individual has completed their self-isolation period, and the other is self-isolating at their home and will remain there until they are 10 days past the onset of symptoms and they are symptom free.
The U.K. variant of SARS-CoV-2 (B.1.1.7) is widely assumed to be associated with increased transmission and it is associated with a steep rise in COVID-19 cases in the U.K. It is not, however, assumed to be more deadly, nor is it expected that it will have a significant impact on vaccine effectiveness. Personal protective measures, such as mask wearing and distancing in public, will still limit the spread of the variant.
Qualifying families can receive energy assistance to help reduce unpaid utility bill balances through the Operation Fuel Online Portal
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To apply you must:
- Be a household whose income does not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines, including working families or individuals facing a financial crisis.
- Financial crisis is defined as the inability of a household to pay for a deliverable fuel or a thirty-day outstanding utility bill.
- Bring proof of the last four weeks of income for all household members, the name of your fuel vendor (for deliverable fuel customers, only), or your utility bill and payment history (for electric and gas utility customers only).
- See detailed guidelines in both English and Spanish.
Please note: An Operation Fuel energy grant is not an entitlement to all Connecticut residents who fall within income guidelines. Grants to households are approved at the discretion of Operation Fuel staff.
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Northwestern Connecticut Community College offering free manufacturing training
Data updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of today:
- First doses administered: 99,929
- Second doses administered: 1,805
- Total doses administered: 101,734
All of the doses under this first phase of the state’s COVID-19 vaccination program are being administered to people in the healthcare workforce, and residents and staff of long-term care facilities, including nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
The Lamont administration is anticipating that all of the nursing homes in Connecticut will have completed administering the first dose of the vaccine to their residents and staff by Friday, January 8.
Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities.
| **Download: Report from January 7, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes **Download: Report from January 7, 2021 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities |
Providing information to Connecticut residents
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.