Kara Rochelle

I hope this message finds you, your loved ones, friends, and family well.

Below is an update on the state's efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, support food pantries, and establish a task force to plan how to get folks back to work safely. I have also included helpful information for veterans. 

COVID-19 Update

There have been an additional 1,346 cases of COVID-19 in Connecticut, bringing the total number of Connecticut cases to 13,381.  There are currently 1,760 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and there have been 602. 

Click the image above for a county-by-county breakdown or to view data by age group or town. 

Two of CT's Major Food Banks to Receive Federal Dollars

The Connecticut Department of Social Services announced over $3.8 million in federal food assistance will be awarded to the state's two largest food banks. The Connecticut Food Bank will receive $1.9 million for food and nearly $650,000 for administrative costs, and Foodshare will receive nearly $1 million for food and $300,000 for administrative expenses. 

Funding comes from the Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020 and the Emergency Food Assistance Program to allow these organizations to order more canned, frozen, and fresh foods through the U.S. Department of Agriculture to help meet the increased demand for food. 

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is expected to provide emergency food assistance funding for Connecticut, and DSS is awaiting guidance from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service on when the aid will be available. 

AdvanceCT Forms Group to Reopen CT's Economy

The nonprofit organization AdvanceCT announced it will form the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group to examine initiatives to cautiously reopen the state's economy. 

The group will be co-chaired by Indra Nooyi, who serves as the current board co-chair of AdvanceCT and was the former chair and CEO of PepsiCo, and Albert Ko, MD, a professor of Epidemiology and Medicine and department chair at the Yale School of Public Health. Other advisors include Ezekiel Emanuel, Vice Provost for Global Initiatives and chair of the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, and Scott Gottlieb, former Food and Drug Administration Commissioner. 

More information is available here.

NE Governors Create Multi-State Council to Get Region Back to Work

It was also announced today that the governors of Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Delaware will form a multi-state council to develop a regional framework to gradually lift the current stay at home orders while minimizing the spread of COVID-19.It will be comprised of one health expert, one economic development expert, and the respective chief of staff from each state. 

Additional information is here.

To read the full press release, click here.

All of the emergency orders issued by the governor and state agencies are available here. To watch the daily news briefings click here, and to read the daily news updates, click here.

Resources for Veterans

The COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program from the PenFed Foundation provides financial relief to Veterans, active military service members, and those serving in the Reserves and the National Guard throughout the duration of the pandemic. This fund can support expenses like rent, mortgages, auto loans/leases, and utilities.

Click here to learn more and to apply for assistance.

Spotlighting Local Excellence

THC The Hops Company in partnership with TEAM, Inc. provided 180 pizzas to 90 Valley families! 

Thank you to THC The Hops Comany and TEAM for looking out for our community and showing up for our neighbors in need. I am so thankful we get to share such a special region.