Maria Horn

As Connecticut entered Phase 3 of the re-opening process this week, we are also seeing a slight uptick in infection rates in certain parts of the state.  It’s a false choice to suggest that we must choose between the economy and public health: we must do both.  We need to protect public health in order to rebuild consumer confidence, and we need to nurture economic growth in order to ensure that CT residents have the financial resources necessary for their physical and emotional well-being.  It is a complex balancing act, and requires looking hard at the effects of our policies. 
 
Last summer, I attended a meeting for state fiscal leaders put on by the National Conference of State Legislatures.  One area of focus was evidence-informed policy making. At the time, it seemed curious that there could be any other kind, but, among other things, the presentation made clear that there were different levels of “evidence,” some much more reliable than others.  It was that lens that I brought with me to two briefings I participated in this week, one concerning a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the state’s long-term care facilities, and the other from a group of medical clinicians, biostatisticians, and public health professionals on the status of the pandemic and the prognosis for a vaccine (or several). 
 
On Monday, the Appropriations, Human Services and Public Health Committees heard from Mathematica, a consultant engaged by the state to examine the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities in CT.  Mathematica recently issued its final, 157-page, report, looking hard at the data and making many recommendations for how we should protect this community moving forward. One area of concern was visitation by family members to residents.  In order to protect this vulnerable community from a deadly virus, the state largely shut down visitation for nursing home residents early in the pandemic.  This did slow the spread of the virus, but it also had harmful effects on the emotional and physical health of residents, due both to the loss of connection to loved ones, and the loss of the supplemental care that family members often provide: it’s clear we need to strike a better, and more individualized, balance between these concerns. 
 
On Wednesday, I participated in a briefing from a collection of scientists from Yale, including public health experts, medical clinicians, and biostatisticians, who gave a presentation on research and data-driven responses to the pandemic.  They touched on the urgent need for more testing, the progress of vaccine trials, the ways in which to ensure public confidence in vaccines, and suggestions for how to equitably distribute a vaccine which at first will have limited supply. 
 
They universally emphasized that “vaccination is the most successful medical approach to disease prevention and control,” while acknowledging the critical role that trust plays. For a vaccine to be effective, the science must be solid (as to safety and efficacy), the messengers communicating that must be trusted in our communities, and there must be an equitable system in place to distribute the vaccine.  The details will matter greatly, and we will have to make sure we are thinking ahead as much as possible. 

Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 9F regarding Phase 3 of the reopening
• Guidelines for Phase 3 of reopening
• Connecticut Department of Public Health issues COVID-19 alert in New London after significant rise in new cases

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.”
 
Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities
 
The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported 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.
 

**Download: Report from October 8, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes **Download: Report from October 8, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities

 

 
Governor Lamont signs Executive Order No. 9F enacting the following provisions:
 

• Amendments to size restrictions on certain gatherings: Enacts the previously announced, Phase 3 increases in gathering sizes for spiritual, religious, and worship services.
• Extension of drive-in worship services and graduations: Continues the previously enacted provisions regarding drive-in religious and graduation ceremonies through at least November 9.

 
Guidelines for Phase 3 of reopening
 
Connecticut moved into Phase 3 of our reopening yesterday (October 8), easing some restrictions on businesses and gatherings, while still following all safety protocols to limit the spread of COVID-19.
Key changes in Phase 3:
·         Restaurants, personal services, hair salons, barber shops, and libraries may increase from 50 percent to 75 percent capacity indoors (subject to COVID-19 safety requirements)
 
·         Outdoor event venues (amphitheaters, race tracks, etc.) will increase from 25 percent to 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements
 
·         Indoor performing arts venues will be able to open at 50 percent capacity with masks and social distancing requirements
Based on data from other states and what we know about the spread of the virus, bars and nightclubs will remain closed for now. Additional information about private, social & recreational events, graduations, and religious gatherings can be found here.
Additionally, as Governor Lamont indicated yesterday, the state is considering giving municipalities the discretion to roll back to (or remain in) Phase 2 if local infection rates rise above a certain threshold (currently 15 cases per day per 100,000 residents). This option will be an important tool to contain local outbreaks more quickly.
As a whole, Connecticut continues to make good progress with the reopening of our economy because businesses and residents are taking the necessary precautions to stay healthy.
We encourage you to visit the Business Sector Rules and Certification page and regularly review the state’s COVID-19 resource pageand latest guidance for the most up-to-date information.
 
 
Connecticut Department of Public Health issues COVID-19 alert in New London after significant rise in new cases
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health issued a COVID-19 alert for New London due to a rising level of new cases in recent weeks. The department is working with local officials to get the word out in the community to take extra precautions for the time being, including: limiting trips outside the home, wearing masks anytime when leaving the house, avoiding indoor gatherings with people who are not part of a household, and not attending large outdoor gatherings.
 
For more information on the COVID-19 alert issued for New London, read the press release issued by the Connecticut Department of Public Health.
 
 
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 is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.