State Capitol Update for the Week of December 20

December 23, 2021

This is my State Capitol update for the week of December 20.

No video this week given the holiday, but I wanted to get some information out that might help ensure that everyone has a safe and healthy holiday. 
 
To all that celebrate, my family wishes you and yours a Merry Christmas.  See you in the New Year!

 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

  • COVID Data. Click here.
  • Recommendations for Testing and Vaccinations. Click here.
  • Testing in the Northwest Corner Region. Click here.
  • Vaccination Clinics in the Northwest Corner Region. Click here
  • Visitation Policy Change at Sharon Hospital. Click here.
  • CT Introduced Option to Digitally Store COVID Vaccine Card. Click here

AnchorCOVID Data

Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 9,002.
 
For graphs and tables containing the most recent data on COVID-19, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

AnchorCurrent recommendations re vaccination and testing
 
If you are eligible (and it’s medically appropriate), it’s recommended that you get your COVID-19 vaccine and booster.  If you are experiencing symptoms, get tested, and stay home if you are not feeling well.  If your child is not feeling well, please do not send them to school or to an after-school activity.  Please continue with hand hygiene protocols.
 
AnchorTesting in the Northwest Corner region
 
There are several locations you can get tested for COVID-19 in the region now, and we hope to have more sites online soon. 

  • Salisbury: Salisbury General Store (formerly Salisbury Pharmacy, 20 Main Street) is offering testing at the back of the store.  Tests are from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm, Monday to Friday.
  • Kent: The town continues to offer testing at the Transfer Station at 38 Maple Street, and the next dates are December 27 and 29, and January 3, from 4pm to 7pm. For more information, https://www.townofkentct.org/home/news/free-weekly-covid19-testing-kent
  • New Milford: Testing is also available by appointment only at the Pettibone Community Center (2 Pickett District Road).  The next date is Friday, December 24, which is for New Milford residents only.  The regular schedule resumes next week on December 27, 28, 29, and 31 from 9am to 6pm. To make an appointment, go to testct.online.

AnchorVisitation Policy Change at Sharon Hospital
 
Visitation hours for inpatients are restricted to a maximum of 4 hours per day.

NuvanceHealth is permitting one support person per day for patients not suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19. This includes inpatient, Emergency Department, Nuvance Health Medical Practices, and ambulatory services. Patients with suspected or confirmed COVID will be permitted visitation only for extenuating circumstances and special patient populations. Pediatric (patients under 21) and NICU visitors are limited to parents or guardians only.

Sharon Hospital visiting hours are from 4 pm to 8 pm daily.

Exemptions: Information on exemptions from this rule for Special Populations and visitors with extenuating circumstances may be found by accessing the full policy at: nuvancehealth.org/visitationpolicy.

AnchorCT introduced option to digitally store COVID-19 vaccination records on mobile devices

The State of Connecticut is now providing residents with the ability to store their personal COVID-19 vaccination records onto their smartphone devices. The digital vaccination cards mirror the paper cards from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that patients receive upon being vaccinated and provides them with a convenient option to securely show proof of being vaccinated on their smartphones without needing to physically carry the paper cards on their person.
 
The choice to load digital vaccination cards onto smartphones is strictly optional. Those who do not have smartphones or do not want to digitize their vaccination records can continue using the paper cards they received upon being vaccinated as they have been doing over the last year.

Instructions for how to load the digital cards, also known as “SMART Health Cards,” onto smartphones can be obtained by visiting ct.gov/getmyvaccinerecord. The system uses CT WiZ, Connecticut’s immunization information system, to confirm a person’s vaccination status.
 
The SMART Health Cards display a QR code that upon being scanned will confirm the smartphone user’s vaccination status. The governor explained that the digital cards are more resistant to forgery than the paper cards, and they can also be easily obtained in the unfortunate event that someone loses their paper card and needs to replace it.
 
The QR code is based on a standard that has already been adopted by many states and countries, including New York, California, and Canada, meaning that Smart Health Cards issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health will also verify vaccination status in those locations. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and numerous additional states are expected to launch programs soon using this standard.
 
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.