COVID-19 Update, 4/3

April 3, 2020

Here is the latest update from Governor Ned Lamont on the state's coronavirus response efforts.

(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7:00 p.m. on Friday, April 3, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

Since yesterday’s update, an additional 1,091 Connecticut residents have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 4,915. To date, more than 20,015 tests have been conducted in Connecticut among both state and private laboratories. Approximately 909 patients have been hospitalized. The total statewide total number of fatalities is 132.

A county-by-county breakdown includes:

County

Laboratory Confirmed Cases

Hospitalized Cases

Deaths

Fairfield County

2,717

409

76

Hartford County

679

166

18

Litchfield County

173

14

4

Middlesex County

91

12

2

New Haven County

891

293

18

New London County

40

9

3

Tolland County

79

3

10

Windham County

27

3

0

Pending address validation

218

0

1

Total

4,915

909

132

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, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont announces extensive measures to support Connecticut’s long-term care facilities, staff, and residents

Governor Lamont today announced that the state’s 213 nursing homes are receiving a 10 percent across-the-board increase in Medicaid payments to help meet extraordinary costs from the public health emergency. The payment increase will be applied toward employee wages, including staff retention bonuses, overtime, and shift incentive payments; and new costs related to screening of visitors, personal protective equipment, and cleaning and housekeeping supplies.

The 10 percent funding increase runs from April 1 through June 30, with an initial payment of $11.6 million scheduled to be received by nursing homes on April 7. The three-month increase is expected to total $35.3 million. In addition, the state is offering to assist with start-up costs and to make $600 per-day payment to all facilities that are designated by the Department of Public Health as suitable to be re-opened for the purpose of serving residents with COVID-19 and who need nursing home level of care.

“We will do everything possible to protect the health and safety of our family, friends and neighbors in nursing homes – and the health and safety of the faithful, dedicated and skilled staff members who care for them,” Governor Lamont said. “Together with nursing home industry and union representing many of the men and women on the front line of care, my administration is working on a number of levels to support and fund high-quality health care services during this pandemic and beyond.”

For more information, read the press release issued today by Governor Lamont.

Governor Lamont urges volunteers from the general public to participate in Connecticut’s COVID-19 response efforts

Governor Lamont and a large number of state officials and nonprofit providers are urging Connecticut residents to consider taking on a volunteer role in their communities to help respond to the COVID-19 crisis. While the state already began a campaign seeking out volunteers who have health care experience, today the state is launching a campaign seeking volunteers from the general public who are needed for other services at many different types of providers, such as food banks, deliveries to the elderly, shelters, and more.

The governor stressed that the COVID-19 outbreak is having a wide-ranging impact, and that means a large amount of skill sets are required to ensure that every community in Connecticut has the resources they need to combat this pandemic.

“During times like this, it is critical that we come together as a community – as a family – and support our neighbors in this response effort,” Governor Lamont said. “Connecticut residents and businesses have been incredibly generous in offering to do what they can to meet the needs of our state at this challenging time. Our frontline providers at food banks, meal delivery services, and shelters need extra help right now, and that is why we are asking for more volunteers to step forward. I am grateful to everyone who has already pitched in to support Connecticut families. The way we’ll get through this public health emergency is by working together.”

Volunteers from the general public will be matched with a community provider in need. Here are the basics:

  • Volunteers must be 18 or older, and should not volunteer if at risk or compromised. Those who are immunocompromised, over 60, showing symptoms of COVID-19, or live with or care for someone in any of those categories should avoid being in public, including for volunteer efforts. Please stay safe, stay home.
  • Volunteers do not need to be health care workers. In addition to calling on physicians, nurses, and other medical professionals who may be retired, the state needs community members to help out at food banks, food deliveries to the elderly, and at shelters in a number of ways.
  • For those who do have a background in health care, the state’s medical community has specific needs at this time. Hospitals have advised the state that they have a high need for critical care nurses and repository therapists.
  • Every effort is being made to keep volunteers safe. The state and all of the organizations involved are working hard to make sure that everyone helping out can do so as safely as possible. If any volunteers have concerns, they are strongly urged to ask about the safety protocols of the organization they are volunteering.
  • Volunteers will be sent where they are most needed and feel most comfortable. The volunteer process is centralized so that the state and participating organizations have a clear picture of everyone who can help, and everything that is needed. That way, volunteers can be matched with an opportunity that is most in need of that person’s skillset.

The Lamont administration and the State of Connecticut are grateful to the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disasters (VOAD), which has made the Disaster Assistance Response Technology database available to help manage the statewide volunteer effort for this emergency, as well as the Connecticut VOAD chapter for their support.

Those interested in volunteering should visit ct.gov/coronavirus for information on how to register.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Governor Lamont.

Connecticut Labor Department provides updates following number of unemployment benefits applications

The Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) has processed more than 90,000 of the over 250,000 unemployment claims filed in less than three weeks by residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of claims recently received far exceeds the amount the agency typically receives in one year.

While the numbers are staggering, they are not unique to Connecticut. Unemployment claims are up in record numbers across the country, and everyone is doing their best to process claims as quickly as possible. Nationwide, approximately 6,648,000 seasonally adjusted initial claims were filed for the week ending March 28, an increase of 3,341,000 from the previous week. This marks the highest level of seasonally adjusted initial claims in the history of the seasonally adjusted series.

“The agency is working diligently to serve its residents and appreciates the public’s patience as it works to process the thousands of claims that have been filed as a result of the pandemic,” Labor Commissioner Kurt Westby said. “We want to let people know that although it will take some time, all eligible claims will be processed, paid, and retroactive to the date they were filed.”

Agency employees are working overtime and weekends to ensure benefits are paid as quickly as possible. Westby said the estimated backlog is approximately five weeks. More than 80 employees are processing claims – a significant increase from the 20 typically processing new applications – and additional staff will continue to be trained to assist in the upcoming days and weeks.

To speed up the processing of their claims, unemployed residents who have not yet filed should:

  • Visit www.filectui.com
  • Click the link that says “For quicker payment of unemployment benefit, please follow these instructions”
  • Information will be provided on filing claims as a “Temporary Shutdown” option and provide guidance on entering a return to work date.

For residents that have already filed a claim, Westby noted that it is very important they check their email (including junk and spam folders) daily for updated messages from CTDOL. Messages may include next steps or a request that claimants log back onto their claim since following these instructions will help speed up processing.

For additional information read the list of Frequently Asked Questions the agency created related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

As part of the CARES Act that was approved by Congress last week, CTDOL is also tasked with administering several federal stimulus unemployment benefit programs. The agency is fortunate to be part of the ReEmployUSA five-state consortium made up of Connecticut, Maine, Rhode Island, Mississippi, and Oklahoma. Although the state joined the consortium to build a new benefits system more quickly, it is now lending its expertise to help develop necessary programming that will provide the federal benefit programs more quickly.

“Our employees appreciate the support we have received from the public, the Governor’s Office, and other agencies, including technical support from BEST and human resource help from the Department of Administrative Services. The agency has helped people survive economic recessions, but this is the first pandemic we have faced when providing unemployment benefits. We know bills need to be paid and how important it is to provide this economic lifeline to our residents.”

State reminds businesses that small businesses can apply for federal assistance under the recently adopted CARES Act

Governor Lamont, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman, and Department of Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez are encouraging small businesses and sole proprietors to reach out directly to their banks and credit unions to apply for the federal Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The program was recently created by Congress as part of the CARES Act to respond to the nationwide COVID-19 crisis.

Administered by the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA), the program authorizes up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses that keep all their employees on the payroll for eight weeks and can use the money for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities. Seventy-five percent of the money must be used for payroll.

Businesses and sole proprietorships should contact their banks and credit unions directly to access the loans. They should also closely review the information and application form for borrowers on the U.S. Treasury Department’s website prior to contacting their banks and credit unions. This will help identify the documents needed to collected and present during the application process.

Commissioner Perez is reminding those involved that since this is a brand new program that is still under development by the federal government, it may take a bit longer than anticipated as the first several days are expected to be very busy.

Additional information about PPP can be read on SBA’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 visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

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.

The Connecticut Airport Authority continues to respond to the significant, unprecedented challenges that COVID-19 poses to the aviation industry. Bradley International Airport has already experienced major impacts as a result of the ongoing situation, particularly in the areas of activity level and revenues. Despite the impacts, it is critical to maintain operational capacity at the airport for the remaining commercial passengers, cargo aircraft, military operations, and potential diversions from other airports.

The following outlines the steps taken by the Connecticut Airport Authority to ensure the safety of the CAA’s passengers, facilities, and workforce, as well as the impacts that we have felt at CAA airports to-date:

Safety Precautions

  • Sanitization
    • Over the past few weeks, we have significantly enhanced cleaning throughout the terminal, with an emphasis on high-touch passenger areas and general sanitization
  • Cleaning staff was increased by approximately 30% during peak travel periods
    • The CAA has deployed 12 hand sanitizing stations throughout the terminal
    • Many airlines are offering hand sanitizer, all have enhanced their cleaning processes in their leased space, and some are offering waivers for flight changes/cancellations
  • Quarantine Protocols
    • The CAA has developed quarantine procedures in the event that a passenger on an aircraft or in the terminal exhibits symptoms
  • CDC / DPH Coordination
    • The CAA is staying in regular contact with relevant health authorities and maintaining constant contact with other agencies through governor’s unified command calls
  • Airport Best Practices
    • The CAA is staying in close contact with airports across the country through daily trade organization conference calls to discuss shared experiences and best practices

Airline Activity

  • Services
    • Many airlines have suspended routes and reduced frequencies
  • Aer Lingus’ Dublin service is suspended until at least mid-April
  • Air Canada services are suspended through May
  • Cleveland and Houston routes have been suspended
  • Chicago and Dulles routes have reduced frequencies
  • Frontier Airlines is offering one flight per day, five days per week
  • Spirit Airlines has ceased all operations through at least May 4, 2020 as a result of the recent CDC guidance for CT residents to cancel nonessential travel
  • Passenger Numbers
    • The following data shows year-over-year passenger decreases on a day-of-the-week basis (ie Monday, March 16, 2020 vs. corresponding Monday in 2019)
      Numbers are based on TSA checkpoint throughput and should be considered demonstrative only, as actual airline data will not be available for weeks
      • Daily Stats
        • 3/13/20: 37.3% decrease
        • 3/14/20: 44.4% decrease
        • 3/15/20: 51.5% decrease
        • 3/16/20: 59.4% decrease
        • 3/17/20: 65.2% decrease
        • 3/18/20: 75.7% decrease
        • 3/19/20: 81.5% decrease
        • 3/20/20: 83.1% decrease
        • 3/21/20: 77.6 % decrease
        • 3/22/20: 84% decrease
        • 3/23/20: 89.5% decrease
        • 3/24/20: 90.6% decrease
        • 3/25/20: 93.7% decrease
        • 3/26/20: 94.1% decrease
        • 3/27/20: 94.7% decrease
        • 3/28/20: 93.1% decrease
        • 3/29/20: 93.7% decrease
        • 3/30/20: 95.4% decrease
        • 3/31/20: 94.9% decrease
        • 4/1/20: 96.3% decrease
        • 4/2/20: 96.6% decrease
      • BDL passenger traffic drops are very similar to what is being experienced at airports across the country
  • CDC issued guidance on March 28, 2020 that recommends all Connecticut residents avoid nonessential travel for a period of 14 days
    • This will likely result in even further deterioration of the airport’s passenger level, continuing to exacerbate the airport’s funding problems
  • Airlines have started requesting relief from the CAA (rent, etc.), which threatens to further hamper CAA revenues
    • All airlines have been offered three months of deferred (not waived) rates and charges to help them manage these difficult times
  • Offered in furtherance of the partnership between the airport and the airlines, with the hope that the strong relationship will be remembered when services are reintroduced and airlines choose between which airports they will operate at after the COVID-19 crisis subsides
  • All outstanding charges must be paid after the three-month period

Concessions

  • In accordance with Governor Lamont’s recent executive order, most restaurants at Bradley International Airport were closed, with the exception of a few, limited takeway options
  • Most concessions have closed, and others have altered their hours due to dwindling passengers
    • McDonald’s, D’Angelo, and Dunkin’ are the only food options available at this time
    • CNBC, Travelmart, and Cover 2 Cover are the only remaining retail concessions
  • One of the CNBC and one of the Travelmart locations have now closed
    • The Escape Lounge has closed
  • Concessionaires have started requesting additional relief from the CAA (rent, etc.), which threatens to further hamper CAA revenues

TSA

  • The CAA is closely monitoring TSA staffing levels and coordinating with the agency to ensure that adequate resources are available at the checkpoint to avoid passengers congregating in line

General Aviation Airports

  • General aviation air traffic is generally down across all of the GA airports
  • The 121 Restaurant at Waterbury-Oxford Airport has already declared bankruptcy due to the rapid downturn

CAA Workforce

  • To promote social distancing and protect the CAA workforce, all non-operating employees have been strongly encouraged to telecommute
  • All staff have been provided materials to sanitize their work areas
  • Additional cleaning is taking place in office spaces

Cost Reduction Planning

  • In light of the plummeting revenues, CAA staff is rapidly developing a cost reduction plan
    • However, no layoffs are being contemplated
  • Planned capital projects are threatened by lack of available funding

Federal Assistance

  • The CAA advocated for $10 billion of airport assistance in Congress’ recent aid package to help ensure that airports are able to meet their debt payment obligations in the face of plummeting revenues
    • These funds could help provide some level of protection for the $210 million ground transportation center project, which is funded primarily by rental car company revenues that have been severely impacted by the traffic downturn
  • Funding could also help airports recoup additional cleaning costs that have been incurred, as well as mitigate the impacts of any contract relief that ends up being provided to airlines and concessionaires
  • Final, Senate-passed CARES Act includes $10 billion for airports
    • Airport funding contingent upon airports employing at least 90% of their current workforce through the end of the calendar year
  • However, allocation formula for airport funds may disadvantage Bradley International Airport vs. other US airports
  • Additional funding or cost-cutting measures will be critical if passenger numbers maintain current levels for an extended period of time
    • Also provides $58 billion worth of grants and loans for airlines
  • Includes potential requirement for airlines to maintain services as of March 1, 2020, but it is unclear how strictly this will be enforced
  • Would help protect the service growth that Bradley Airport has been able to achieve over the past few years
    • Legislation was passed by both chambers and signed into law