Wednesday COVID-19 Update

March 18, 2020

Below is the most recent update from the Governor's Office. Please continue to reach me with any questions or concerns!

Providing information to Connecticut residents
For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, all residents in the state 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 information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment. The hotline only 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 to seek treatment.

KEY POINTS:

  • An additional 27 Connecticut residents tested positive, bringing the total positive cases reported in the state to 68. 
  • Governor Lamont signed another executive order taking actions to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, this one:
    • Makes modifications to the governor’s previously enacted waiver of the 180-day school year to grant broader flexibility to school districts.
    • Allows police departments to limit or eliminate fingerprinting for background checks.
    • Extends expiration dates for permits, licenses, and other credentials administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection.
    • Suspends the requirement that public assistance benefit overpayments be immediately recouped.
    • Suspend in-person hearing attendance requirements for certain hearings conducted by the Department of Social Services. 
  • Department of Economic and Community Development is launching the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit to aid businesses in economic recovery. 
  • Department of Banking issues guidance to state-chartered banks and credit unions 
  • Connecticut Hospital Association is working with the Department of Public Health to ensure adequate hospital space to meet the needs of patients. 
  • As blood drives have been canceled nationwide to mitigate the spread of the virus, the Red Cross of Connecticut is seeking donors to call ahead and make appointments that will allow for social distancing. 
  • The Office of Early Childhood is actively working to ensure childcare remains available for healthcare staff and first responders. 
  • The Department of Motor Vehicles is suspending in-person visits at all of their branches. Certain deadlines are being extended, and customers are also encouraged to conduct transactions online. 
  • The Department of Revenue Services is suspending in-person visits at all of their offices. 
  • The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is suspending enforcement activities at bottle collection facilities, giving stores discretion to shut them down. They are also suspending in-person visits at their main office. 
  • Attorney General Tong has received 71 complaints about price gouging on basic supplies. 
  • The Department of Social Services has suspended in-person visits at all of their facilities.

To read the complete press release from the governor's office, please click HERE.