Geraldo Reyes Jr

I hope you are all staying healthy and safe during this time of uncertainty. In an effort to both keep you informed and stay hopeful for the future, I will start a weekly email sharing the latest COVID-19 data, resources, and words of encouragement from local, national, and world leaders.

Local and National Data Updates
(Latest Data as of 5:00PM on Friday, April 10, 2020)

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 I walk around nodding at the few people I saw in there, I still believe in this state and this nation. There is always something to be grateful for and plenty to give thanks for as the world cries together! Let’s Pray for one another be kind to one another and most of all be patient with one another!” – State Rep. Geraldo Reyes

"What we’re going through is unprecedented, and it will continue to take public private partnerships like this to get through it.” – CT Governor Ned Lamont

Below is a link to a video of employees at Yale New Haven Hospital Saint Raphael Campus MICU cheering on a COVID-positive patient whose condition has improved and is moving to a regular floor. Help us send a virtual round of applause to this patient!

Watch Video Here

Protections granted to residential renters during COVID-19 crisis

Governor Lamont’s order – Executive Order No. 7X – includes a provision taking the following actions to protect residential renters during the public health crisis:

• All landlords are prohibited from issuing a notice to quit or beginning eviction proceedings before July 1, 2020
• If needed for rent due in April 2020, landlords must grant tenants an automatic, 60-day grace period for payment, instead of the existing 9-day grace period
• If needed for rent due in May 2020, landlords must grant a 60-day grace period for payment upon the request of tenants
• A tenant must to notify the landlord that they have lost a job, lost hours, or otherwise lost revenue or faced significant increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
• If a tenant has a paid security deposit of more than one month’s rent, the tenant can apply all or part of that excess to April, May, or June rent.

Last week, Governor Lamont announced that his administration reached an agreement with over 50 credit unions and banks in Connecticut to offer mortgage relief to homeowners during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in Executive Order No. 7S, provided temporary relief regarding upcoming municipal tax payments. Homeowners should contact their lender to discuss accessing mortgage forbearance.

Legal Assistance

People may be at greater risk of victimization during this stressful time. There are legal resources available to for undocumented people who may need help navigating through challenges related to the COVID-19 emergency.

Below are several legal resource assistance lines for undocumented people. All Inquiries and requests for assistance are confidential.

• Hartford County – Greater Hartford Legal Aid – 860-541-5000
• New Haven County – New Haven Legal Assistance – 203-946-4811
• Statewide – Connecticut Legal Services Immigration Hotline – 800-798-0671
• International Institute of Connecticut -Bridgeport - 203-336-0141
• International Institute of Connecticut – Stamford – 203-965-7190
• International Institute of Connecticut – Hartford - 860-692-3085

CT United Way/2-1-1 can also connect individuals to legal assistance in their region. Click here to learn more.

Financial assistance available for minority and women-owned small businesses negatively impacted by the pandemic

Minority and women-owned businesses with 20 or fewer employees can now apply for a zero-interest line of credit up to $20,000 to help them navigate the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The COVID-19 Business Response Program will be administered and underwritten by Hartford Economic Development Corporation (HEDCO). Companies can learn more about the program and apply for assistance by visiting HEDCO’s website.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to click here.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access. It intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.