COVID-19 Update, 7/2
July 2, 2020Here is the July 2, 2020 update from Governor Ned Lamont regarding the state's coronavirus response efforts:
Data updates on testing in Connecticut
The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.
NEW REPORTING SCHEDULE: Effective immediately, the State of Connecticut will continue to publish these COVID-19 metric reports five days a week, every Monday through Friday. The report that is issued every Monday will include combined data that was collected on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This schedule will remain in effect until further notice.
For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”
Updated data on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
The following documents contain updated data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that are reporting positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities. If a facility is not listed, that means it is reporting that it does not have any residents who have tested positive. These data reports are updated weekly.
**Download: Data on nursing homes in Connecticut as of June 30, 2020
**Download: Data on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of July 1, 2020
Updated guidance on Connecticut’s travel advisory
As the situation around the country continues to develop, the Lamont administration today updated guidance regarding the travel advisory that was recently implemented for travelers entering Connecticut from states with high rates of COVID-19. If someone arrives to Connecticut from an impacted state, self-quarantining for 14 days remains the best option, however the updated guidance permits travelers to enter the state if they test negative for COVID-19 within 72 hours prior to arriving.
To read the updated guidance, check out the travel advisory section of the state’s coronavirus website.
State launches “Connecticut Respect” PSA campaign
The State of Connecticut today launched the “Connecticut Respect” PSA campaign to reinforce practices that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The campaign includes spots filmed by Stew Leonard, Southern Connecticut State University Professor Jonathan Wharton, UConn Women’s Basketball Coach Geno Auriemma, and a lifeguard.
DMV resumes select testing and registration services
The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has resumed road testing services for driver’s licenses, as well as new vehicle registrations at select DMV locations. Knowledge testing for motorcycle learner’s permits is slated to resume on July 7, 2020 on DMV’s Bridgeport and Waterbury locations.
The DMV began collaborating with driving schools on June 23, in an effort to reduce its backlog created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and was able to schedule nearly 1,000 road tests through June 30. Customers whose appointments were canceled due to the pandemic are encouraged to reschedule their appointments.
The expansion of DMV services comes on the heels of the department’s reopening on June 23. The DMV now requires appointments for all services. To schedule an appointment, utilize the following links:
Road Tests (Non-CDL): www.dmvroadtest.ct.gov/dmv/do-it-online
Learner’s Permit Knowledge Tests: www.dmvteen.ct.gov/dmv/do-it-online
Motorcycle Knowledge Tests: portal.ct.gov/DMV/Offices/Offices/Make-an-Appointment
License, ID and Registration Services: portal.ct.gov/DMV/Offices/Offices/Make-an-Appointment
For more information, read the press release issued today by the DMV.
Judicial branch plans to resume operations at eight more courthouses on July 20
The Connecticut Judicial Branch announced that operations at eight additional courthouses will resume effective Monday, July 20. They include:
Geographical Area No. 2 courthouse at 172 Golden Hill Street in Bridgeport;
The Community Court and Housing Sessions courthouse at 80 Washington Street in Hartford;
The Judicial District at Meriden courthouse at 54 West Main Street in Meriden;
The Judicial District at Norwich courthouse at 1 Courthouse Square in Norwich;
The Judicial District at Waterbury courthouse at 300 Grand Street in Waterbury;
The Judicial District at Hartford courthouse at 95 Washington Street in Hartford;
The Judicial District at Tolland courthouse at 69 Brooklyn Street in Rockville; and
The Judicial District courthouse at 90 Washington Street in Hartford.
The expansion of operations will bring the number of courthouses where operations are currently being conducted to 25.
For more information on this announcement, read the press release issued by the judicial branch.
For additional information regarding overall judicial branch operations during the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.
Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system
Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.
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. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline 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.
I also wanted to recap some of the highlights of the week which include:
Schools Reopening
Housing Relief Package
Billions in PPP Loans
Schools Reopening
The Department of Education has developed a plan for Connecticut public schools to fully reopen in the fall. The plan gives children the opportunity to return to the classroom while safeguarding the health of both students and faculty. Some of the safety measures include: full-time mask-wearing, smaller classrooms, socially-distanced desks, and cohort grouping of students.
To read the detailed plan, click here.
Housing Relief Package
More than $33 million in state and federal resources is now available as emergency assistance to renters, homeowners, and residential landlords impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency. These funds will help provide a safety net for families and businesses struggling to make ends meet.
For more information, click here.
Billions in PPP Loans
As of June 20, a total of 58,257 Connecticut businesses had claimed $6.63 billion in loans through the Paycheck Protection Program, far outpacing most other states. Thanks to effective outreach by the state Department of Economic and Community Development, many of these loans were to unincorporated businesses owned by a single person.
To read more, click here.