COVID Update 2.17

February 17, 2021

As we work to get as many Connecticut residents vaccinated as we can, I wanted to take a moment to acknowledge the many of you in our communities who have been helping neighbors, friends, family members, and other residents navigate the tricky system of enrolling, registering, and getting vaccinated.  Over the last week, I have spoken with social service agents, recreational directors, bus drivers, neighbors, and volunteers of all kinds, who have responded with creativity, tenacity, generosity, warmth, humor, and many hours of work.  You have shared your tips, one-pagers clarifying the process, and a lot of detailed information about how this process is and isn’t working on the ground, and how vaccination locations are handling different issues.  Your input has been tremendously valuable to me, as I pass it up through the ranks to get changes made, and share that information with others who reach out with questions.  Most importantly, your work helps all of us because it improves public health.  One thing the pandemic has taught us is that my health is connected to yours, and everything we do to keep our neighbors healthy helps the entire community.  Thank you.  

Today's Topics:

  • Data Updates on Vaccine Administration in Connecticut. Click here.
  • An Update of CT's Reopening Plan. Click here.
  • Access Health CT Special Enrollment Period Extended Through March 15. Click here
  • How to Schedule COVID-19 Vaccine. Click here
  • How to Follow the Budget Process. Click here
  • Virtual Town Hall Next Monday. Click here.

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, “Data Tracker.”
 

Specific Updates for Our Community

 

Town Total Cases Total Deaths Number of Tests Number of Positive Tests
Canaan 7 0 659 8
Cornwall 41 0 1,742 48
Goshen 118 1 3,839 142
Kent 117 0 6,236 131
Norfolk 59 0 1,821 67
North Canaan 178 8 7,761 197
Salisbury 110 0 8,649 132
Sharon 89 1 8,649 125
Torrington 2,691 126 70,553 3,281

 AnchorData updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of yesterday:
 

Dose   Total Administered  
First doses administered   473,784  
Second doses administered   218,062  
 
Total   691,846  
 

Connecticut remains in the top four states in the nation for vaccine distribution.
 
So far, the state has vaccinated:
 

  • 66 percent of its population over the age of 75
  • 23 percent of its population between the ages of 65 and 74

 
Next week, the state anticipates receiving an increase in supply from the federal government of about 22 percent.
 
Connecticut is currently in phase 1b of its COVID-19 vaccination program. Right now under this phase, individuals over the age of 65 can receive the vaccine. In the coming weeks, the phase will open to include individuals between the ages of 16 and 64 who have underlying health conditions, and frontline essential workers.
 
Information on Connecticut’s COVID-19 vaccination program is available at ct.gov/covidvaccine.
 

AnchorGovernor Lamont announces potential next steps for expanding capacity of social and recreational events

Governor Lamont today announced that his administration is considering expanding the capacity of private, social, and recreational events at commercial venues beginning on Friday, March 19, 2021.
 
This will likely be:
 

  • Indoors: 50 percent capacity capped at 100 people
  • Outdoors: Capacity of up to 200 people

 
The governor noted that the effective date of this expansion is dependent upon the continued stability in the state’s COVID-19 metrics. However, he is aware that event planners need time to organize, which is why he wanted to give advance notice of what his administration is considering.

AnchorAccess Health CT Special Enrollment Period open now through March 15

Access Health CT's (AHCT) Special Enrollment Period is open now through March 15, 2021 for uninsured residents to obtain quality, affordable health care coverage, particularly those negatively affected by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are several ways to get help with enrollment including:

  • Online: AccessHealthCT.com (Live chat: AccessHealthCT.com click “Live Chat” icon) 
  • Phone: 1-855-805-4325, Mon. – Fri.  8 AM - 4 PM
  • With Enrollment Specialists in the community 
  • In-personhelp at either of AHCT’s Navigator partner locations: 

Consumers will not be required to verify their eligibility for this Special Enrollment Period. Financial help will still be available for those who qualify.

Please note if you are currently enrolled in coverage through AHCT you will not be eligible to use this Special Enrollment Period to change your existing plans.

If you are in need this is an opportunity to put your mind at ease during these times. Access to good quality, affordable healthcare awaits.

AnchorHow to Schedule COVID-19 Vaccine

If you live or work in Connecticut AND are currently eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, there are multiple options for how you can schedule.

See below for a list of scheduling options.

 

Vaccine Access Line
 
 
 
 
The Vaccine Appointment Assist Line is open 8a-8p, 7 days per week. By calling this line, you can schedule at locations across the State of Connecticut
 
Call
877-918-2224
 Walgreens Walgreens is currently offering COVID Vaccine at 12 different locations – and will soon be adding many more across the State
 CVS CVS is currently offering vaccine in ~10 stores across the State of Connecticut
 Walmart Walmart will be offering COVID-19 vaccines at 7 locations across the State of Connecticut: Torrington, West Haven, North Windham, New Haven, Waterbury, Hartford and Norwalk
 VAMS VAMS is the Vaccine Administration Management System, and can be used to schedule appointments at multiple clinics across the State, including:
• Trinity Health of New England
• Griffin Hospital
• Nuvance Hospital
• Other Health Departments
 Hartford Healthcare Hartford Healthcare has multiple locations throughout the State, including large clinics in the Hartford-area. You can use MyChart to schedule
Yale
NewHaven
Health
Yale New Haven Hospital has multiple locations throughout the State, including large clinics in the New Haven area. You can use MyChart to schedule
 
Stamford Health
 
Stamford Health is operating a clinic 7-days-per-week at the Stamford Hospital. You can use ZocDoc to schedule
Click here to schedule

 

AnchorHow to  Follow the Budget Process

Last week Governor Lamont presented a two-year state budget to the legislature, which is the first step in the budget process. From here, the legislature and its committees will review the proposed budget and make changes. There will also be a public hearing on the “budget bill”. The process will take several months, so stay tuned for updates along the way.

In the coming weeks, the legislature's Appropriations and Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees review the proposal and schedule public hearings on spending and revenues. You can keep track of when these public hearings take place by visiting the committee pages on the Connecticut General Assembly website.

After the public hearings, Appropriations develops a revised budget which is then passed out of the committee. This usually happens in April. At the same time, the Finance Committee will determine if there should be any changes to the bill's revenue package.
 
Legislative leaders, typically in consultation with the Office of the Governor and the Office of Policy and Management, work to develop a final budget bill. During this time, any number of changes may be made to the budget through bipartisan negotiations.
 
The budget bill then goes before the House and Senate. Each chamber must pass the same exact version of the budget in order for the bill to move on to the next step in the process.
 
After being passed by both chambers, the legislature’s final budget must then be signed into law by the governor before the end of the fiscal year, June 30.
 
I hope you follow along as my legislative colleagues and I work, along with the public, to develop a budget that will continue to move Connecticut forward.
 

AnchorVirtual Town Hall with the Women’s Business Development Council

Next Monday, February 22, I will cohost a virtual forum for small business owners. I will be joined by Representative Cook and Women's Business Forum (WBDC) members Fran Pastore and Sherry Konwerski.

This event is an excellent opportunity for small business owners who are looking support. We will discuss state and federal programs specifically created to support women and minority owned businesses. To Register, click here or the image above. 

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This 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.