Maria Horn

It’s the time of year that everyone is squeezing in the last of the outdoor events in the beautiful weather and spectacular fall scenery.  Last weekend featured two Women’s Marches in our region, supporting reproductive rights in light of an oppressive Texas law. One was in Kent and one in Salisbury, and each featured over 200 people carrying posters and wearing pink, ready to work together to defend a constitutional right we have relied on for 50 years that is now under threat. 

It’s also Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Susan B Anthony Project of Torrington held their annual vigil in Coe Park on Wednesday evening, dedicated to honoring all those who have been affected by domestic violence, and thanking local individuals and organizations who have been aided them in their mission in the past year, which has been a particularly demanding one.  Women’s Support Services of Sharon will hold their vigil on October 14 at 6:00 pm in the North Canaan Pavilion (next to Lawrence Field). 

A few upcoming events this weekend:

• Friday, 10/8, starting at 5:00pm: “Neighborwoods,” a roaming event intended to connect new neighbors to each other, is holding what may be its last outdoor gathering tonight at The Edward, 19 West Main Street, Sharon. 
• Sunday, 10/10 The Northwestern CT YMCA is sponsoring a 5K race through Norbrook Farm.  Online registration has closed, but you can register that day for $35.  Registration opens at 8:30 am, and race begins at 10:00 am
• Monday, 10/11, 12:00 - 1:30 pm: Norfolk is holding an event in honor of Indigenous People’s Day.  It will begin on the Norfolk Village Green, and then walk together to “Speaker’s Rock” in nearby Barbour Woods for songs, poems, prayers and closing remarks. Contact healingnestnorfolk@gmail.com with any questions or just sign up here.

Update on Sharon Hospital: The plan announced by Nuvance last week is a blow to the community, and we need more information in order to assess the path ahead. Nuvance has committed to holding more community forums at which we will be able to ask detailed questions about the plan they proposed last week, so stay tuned for further information.
 
Here’s a list of today’s topics:

• COVID Data. Click here.
• New Laws in Effect. Click here. 
• Update on Vaccination and Testing Requirements Among Executive Branch State Employees. Click here.
• Connecticut to Share Crime Gun Data With Neighboring States. Click here. 
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month. Click here. 
• Access Health "Healthy Chats". Click here. 
• Eversource Agrees to Proposed Settlement. Click here. 
• Community Health and Wellness Fundraiser. Click here.
• DOT Update. Click here. 

COVID Data

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.
 

Overall Summary	Total	Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)	393,499	+548
COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)	11,289,220	+32,205
Daily Test Positivity	--	1.7%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19	230	0
Overall Summary	Total	Change Since Last Thursday
COVID-19 Associated Deaths*	8,667	+38

 

 
*Data on COVID-19 deaths is updated once per week every Thursday.
 
County-by-county breakdown of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:
 

County	Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Fairfield County	38
Hartford County	88
Litchfield County	5
Middlesex County	9
New Haven County	52
New London County	26
Tolland County	1
Windham County	11
Total	230

 

 
For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”
 
Data updates on breakthrough cases in Connecticut
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health is reporting that as of October 7, 2021, a total of 14,419 cases of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated persons in Connecticut have been confirmed. Of the more than 2.3 million people in Connecticut who have completed their vaccine series, 0.61% have contracted the virus.
 
For more data on breakthrough cases in Connecticut, see pages 6 through 9 of this week’s extended COVID-19 data report.
 
Data updates on vaccine administration in Connecticut
 
The following data represents the total number of COVID-19 vaccines administered in Connecticut, as reported to the state as of today:
 

Dose	Total Administered
First dose administered	2,555,355
Fully vaccinated	2,362,510

 

 
As of today, Connecticut residents who have received at least one dose by age group includes:
 

• >95% of those over the age of 65
• 90% of those between 55-64
• 82% of those between 45-54
• 82% of those between 35-44
• 74% of those between 25-34
• 69% of those between 18-24
• 79% of those between 16-17
• 69% of those between 12-15

 
Source: Coverage data is based on what is reported to CT WiZ, except the estimated coverage for 65 years and older, which is taken from the CDC COVID Data Tracker.
 
All Connecticut residents over the age of 12 are currently eligible to receive the vaccines. To locate a vaccination clinic, visit ct.gov/covidvaccine.
 
Data updates on variants in Connecticut
 
The following data contains the cumulative number of SARS-CoV-2 variants that have been identified among Connecticut residents as of today:
 
Variants of concern

• B.1.617.2 and all AY sub-lineages (Delta): 5,033 cases

Variants being monitored

• B.1.1.7, Q.1-Q.8 (Alpha): 3,520 cases
• B.1.351/B.1.351.2/B.1.351.3 (Beta): 42 cases
• P.1, P.1.1, P.1.2 (Gamma): 219 cases
• B.1.427/429 (Epsilon): 215 cases
• B.1.525 (Eta): 21 cases
• B.1.526 (Iota): 1,591 cases
• B.1.617.1 (Kappa): 7 cases
• B.1.617.3: 0 cases
• B.1.621, B.1.621.1 (Mu): 121 cases
• P.2 (Zeta): 9 cases

 
For more information on variants, see page 10 of this week’s extended COVID-19 data report.
 
Weekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: 37 of 169 municipalities in red zone alert level
 
The Connecticut Department of Public Health today released its weekly COVID-19 Alert Map, which indicates that 37 municipalities are currently in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels.

New Laws in Effect
Below is a selection of some of the laws that went  into effect:

Breastfeeding in the Workplace

• Public Act No. 21-27 – Requires employers to provide a private room or location with an electrical outlet for women to express milk. Employers must also provide a refrigerated space to store the breastmilk.  
• The law also protects breastfeeding employees from workplace discrimination.

Marijuana and Smoking Restrictions

• On October 1, a portion of Public Act No. 21-1 will go into effect.
• Medical marijuana patients who are 18 years of age or older can start growing mature and immature plants at home.
• Smoking of any kind (tobacco, vaping, marijuana) will be prohibited within 25 feet of the any door, window, or vent intake of any building open to the public.

Pedestrian Safety 

• PA 21-28 clarifies the rules for pedestrians in crosswalks 
  • Starting October 1, drivers must slow down or stop if a pedestrian is in the crosswalk or indicated that they are going to cross.

Addressing Gender Discrimination

• PA 21-30 – Requires employers to offer equal pay for "comparable” work regardless of gender.
• Also requires employers to offer prospective applicants and employees with a scale of pay among those with similar tasks.

"Bottle Bill"

• PA 21-58 -Starting October 1, certain retailers will be required to have at least two reverse vending machines on their premises.
• It also increases the handling fee paid by the distributors to redemption centers from 2.5 cents per beverage container to 3.5 cents.

Click here the complete list of laws.
 
Although these laws are a compilation of this year's accomplishments in the legislature, you always have the opportunity to make your voice heard. Please stay active in the legislative processes and stay in touch.

Update on vaccination and testing requirements among executive branch state employees
 
The state continues to make significant progress in compliance with the executive orders requiring either COVID-19 vaccination or weekly texting among executive branch state employees.
 
As of 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 5, 2021:
 

• About 23,600 (78%) are fully vaccinated;
• About 5,500 (18%) will receive weekly testing; and
• About 1,200 (4%) have not yet submitted their required documentation.

 
State human resources officials are currently in the process of contacting each employee still identified as being non-compliant to determine the reason why they have not yet submitted their required documentation and to correct any potential errors for those whose attempts to respond were not accurately recorded by the system.
 
At this point, Governor Lamont does not anticipate needing to activate the Connecticut National Guard to respond to possible staffing shortages for those agencies that provide critical health and safety services, as he previously announced was under consideration.
 
The governor’s executive orders apply only to the executive branch, where he has jurisdiction. The judicial branch is following a similar process and timeline, and the legislative branch is in the process of developing similar requirements.
 
Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania will share crime gun data
 
Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York, Governor Phil Murphy of New Jersey, and Governor Tom Wolf of Pennsylvania announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding to share crime gun data in an effort to prevent gun violence and enhance public safety.
 
The agreement allows law enforcement agencies from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania to share crime gun data across state lines in order to detect, deter, and investigate gun crime, as well as identify and apprehend straw purchasers, suspect dealers, firearms traffickers, and other criminals.  This is a critical step forward in protecting public safety, as firearms are frequently taken across state borders when involved in crimes, and this collaboration will give law enforcement the resources they need.
 
 
**Download: Memorandum of understanding between Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania on sharing crime gun data
 
 
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
 
Connecticut Department of Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo and Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter announced that their agencies will co-host Connecticut’s 9^th annual Disability Employment Resource Fair on October 22, 2021. Held virtually this year, the fair is also co-sponsored by the Connecticut Department of Developmental Services, LifeBridge Community Services, and Capital Workforce Partners.
 
National Disability Employment Awareness Month began in 1945 to highlight the contributions of the disability community to the workforce and the economy. The U.S. Department of Labor’s 2021 theme for the awareness month is, “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion.”
 
In addition to the annual Disability Employment Resource Fair, assistance for jobseekers is available virtually and in-person, including at:

• The Connecticut Department of Labor’s American Job Centers (appointments are recommended). More information is available at portal.ct.gov/ajc.
• CTHires, which serves as a one-stop resource to search for jobs, create a resume, and find training. More information is available atportal.ct.gov/cthires.
• Additional job fair that are scheduled frequently across the state. For a full schedule, visit portal.ct.gov/AJC/recruitmentevents.

Access Health “Healthy Chats”
 
Healthy Chats are a great way for CT residents to learn more about Access Health CT, the upcoming Open Enrollment Period and the application process for health coverage. 
 
They have 3 sessions coming up, and one is exclusively in Spanish:

• Tuesday, October 12th at 6:00pm
• Wednesday, October 13th at 6:00pm (Spanish Only)
• Tuesday, October 26th at 6:00pm

Click here to register. 

Eversource Energy agrees to $103.4 million proposed settlement with the state over Tropical Storm Isaias

Eversource Energy has agreed to a $103.4 million proposed settlement with the state over its handling last year of Tropical Storm Isaias.

The deal, which must be approved by the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, directs Eversource to return $65 million to customers in two credits, on their December and January bills. The average credit will be $35.

The utility also agreed to not appeal a $28.4 million penalty imposed by state regulators due failures in their storm response. Ratepayers currently see this as a credit on their bills under “TS Isaias Performance Penalty.”

For the full story, click here.
 
Community Health & Wellness Fundraiser on October 23
 
Community Health & WellnessGet Ready for Community, Cocktails & Comedy! Give a little and laugh a lot during our annual fundraiser!
 
As part of their annual fundraiser, on October 23 starting at 6:30 pm, Community Health & Wellness [define] is hosting an evening of comedy with three stand-up comedians that you can enjoy from the comfort of your own home.  There were also be raffle prizes.  You can order you “zoom link” via Eventbrite for $35.
 
CLICK HERE TO ORDER TICKETS
Bit.ly/3htNc3u

DOT Update for Norfolk

The Connecticut Department of Transportation announced that a milling and resurfacing project will be performed on Route 272 from Route 44 to Bruey Road in Norfolk.

The milling portion of the project is scheduled to occur from Tuesday, October 5, through Friday, October 8. The resurfacing portion of the project is scheduled to occur from Tuesday, October 12, through Wednesday, October 20.

This project is included in the Department of Transportation’s 2021 Vendor Resurfacing Program.

Motorists can expect delays and one lane alternating Traffic. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will be utilized to guide motorists through the work zone. The regular work schedule for this project is 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Monday through Friday).

Visit the CT DOT website for more information. 

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.