Josh Elliott

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

Governor Lamont signs 91^st executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 91^st 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. 10B enacts the following provisions:

• Early opening of 2021 fishing season: Orders Connecticut’s 2021 fishing season to open effective immediately, ahead of the scheduled date of April 10.

Easing-Up on COVID-19 Restrictions

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that in the coming days he plans to revise some requirements that were implemented in Connecticut in the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly when it comes to those relating to capacity levels and travel restrictions.

The governor stressed that while some of these restrictions are being eased, all of the protocols that relate to face coverings, social distancing, and cleaning measures are being maintained, and people and businesses are urged to continue adhering to those health and safety procedures.

Protocols that will remain in effect until further notice include:

• Face coverings and masks continue to be required
• Bars that only serve beverages continue to remain closed
• 11PM closing time remains in place for events at venues, restaurants, and entertainment
• Indoor theaters continue to have a 50% capacity
• Large event venues (e.g. stadiums) to open in April

The protocols that will be revised in the coming days include:

Beginning Friday, March 19, 2021

• All capacity limits will be eliminated for the following businesses, while face coverings, social distancing, and other cleaning and disinfecting protocols will continue to be required:
  • Restaurants (8-person table capacity and 11PM required closing time for dining rooms continues)
  • Retail
  • Libraries
  • Personal services
  • Indoor recreation (excludes theaters, which will continue to have a 50% capacity)
  • Gyms/fitness centers
  • Museums, aquariums, and zoos
  • Offices
  • Houses of worship
• Gathering sizes will be revised to the following amounts:
  • Social and recreational gatherings at private residence – 25 indoors/100 outdoors
  • Social and recreational gatherings at commercial venues – 100 indoors/200 outdoors
• All sports will be allowed to practice and compete, and all sports tournaments will be allowed, subject to Department of Public Health guidance
• Connecticut’s travel advisory will be modified from a requirement to recommended guidance

Beginning Monday, March 29, 2021

• Capacity limits on early childhood classes will increase from 16 to 20

Beginning Friday, April 2, 2021

• Outdoor amusement parks can open
• Outdoor event venues can increase to a 50% capacity, capped at 10,000 people
• Indoor stadiums can open at 10% capacity
• Summer camps and summer festivals are advised to begin the planning stages to open for the upcoming season

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:

*NOTE: This data does not include 155 J&J vaccinations

So far, the following age groups have received at least their first dose:

• 74 percent over the age of 75
• 59 percent between the ages of 65 and 74
• 17 percent between the ages of 55 and 64

Those who are currently eligible to receive the vaccine under Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program include all individuals over the age of 55, as well as all healthcare personnel, medical first responders, residents and staff of long-term care facilities, residents and staff of select congregate settings, and preK-12 school staff and professional childcare providers. Over the coming weeks, eligibility will expand based on age according to the following schedule:

• March 22, 2021: Expands to ages 45 to 54
• April 12, 2021: Expands to ages 35 to 44
• May 3, 2021: Expands to ages 16 to 34

Weekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: 104 of 169 municipalities in red zone alert level

The Connecticut Department of Public Health today released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which indicates that 104 of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are currently in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels.

The color-coded zones include:

• Red: Indicates case rates over the last two weeks of greater than 15 per 100,000 population
• Orange: Indicates case rates between 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 population
• Yellow: Indicates case rates between 5 and 9 per 100,000 population
• Gray: Indicates case rates lower than five per 100,000 population

The weekly alert map is also accompanied by a chart that provides guidance on recommended actions based on the alert levels for individual residents; institutions such as schools, houses of worship, and community organizations; and municipal leaders and local health directors.

The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday afternoon and can be found in the Data Tracker page of the state’s coronavirus website.

Additional 3 cases of B.1.1.7 variant reported in Connecticut, bringing statewide total confirmed to 66

The Connecticut Department of Public Health today announced that an additional 3 cases of the B.1.1.7 variant of COVID-19, commonly known as the UK variant, have been reported among Connecticut residents, bringing the statewide total number of confirmed cases of this variant to 66.

The specimen collection dates for these newly identified cases are from between February 10 and February 14, 2021, and the individuals involved range in age from 35 to 95 years old. The cases were detected by the Connecticut State Public Health Laboratory with new sequencing technology and capabilities that were recently acquired for the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance the ability to screen for variants of COVID-19.

The 3 individuals are residents of the following towns:

• Greenwich (1)
• Watertown (2)