As of today, Monday April 20, a total of 19,815 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents, up 1,853 cases since yesterday (the large uptick is due in part to a new way to count COVID-19 infections and deaths by the CDC). 1,919 patients are currently hospitalized, up 18 from yesterday. There have been 1,331 COVID-19-associated deaths in Connecticut, which is 204 more than yesterday, again in part due to new guidelines from the CDC. 62,806 people in Connecticut have been tested for COVID-19, or about 31.55% positive.
Face Coverings Mandatory In Public
As of 8 p.m. today, Monday, April 20, members of the public will be required to wear face coverings in public whenever close contact with other people will be unavoidable, according to an executive order signed by Governor Lamont. When individuals cannot maintain safe social distancing, such as in stores, in public transportation or in other enclosed spaces, they should cover their faces with masks or cloth face coverings. This includes employees working in businesses. Anyone who has a medical condition that would make them unable to safely wear a face covering, any child under the age of 2, or any child whose guardian is unable to safely place a mask on their face are exempt from the mandate.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, wearing a cloth face covering is intended to slow the spread of COVID-19, particularly in the event that an individual is a carrier of the virus and is not experiencing symptoms. Wearing a face covering is expected to sharply decrease the ability of the virus to transfer from person to person. Additionally, cloth masks are not a replacement for social distancing and continuing to practice hygiene; those steps should continue to be followed whenever possible.
Financial Information Amid COVID-19
With stimulus checks and paycheck protections already in place, there are a number of additional financial changes happening to support individuals amid the continued spread of COVID-19. This includes:
Waiver of early distribution penalties
The additional 10 percent tax on early distributions from IRAs and defined contribution plans like 401(k) plans are waived for distributions of up to $100,000 made between January 1 and December 31 of this year by a person who, or whose family, is infected with COVID-19 or is economically harmed by it. Income arising from the distributions can be spread out over three years or treated as a rollover if repaid within three years.
Net Operating Losses
Business and individual taxpayers will no longer have the 80 percent taxable income limitations on the amount of Net Operating Loss that can be utilized for 2019 and 2020; additionally, net operating losses arising from 2018-2020 can now be carried back the prior five years.
Delays of Taxes
Employees and self-employed individuals are able to defer payment of the employer share of Social Security taxes for wages paid between date of enactment and December 31, with payments due equally December 31 of 2021 and 2022.
Filing and payment requirements for the meals and sales and use taxes for employers with under $150,000 in liabilities in the last 12 months have been suspended for filings and payments due during March 20 and May 31 of this year; they have been delayed to June 20.
Banks Discouraged From Claiming Stimulus Payments
Connecticut Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez issued guidance last week to banks and credit unions, advising them not to use stimulus payment funds deposited into customers’ accounts to offset outstanding debts they may carry. The guidance comes as Governor Lamont asks state agencies to assist Connecticut residents; many payment recipients have been laid off, furloughed or lost work as a result of COVID-19. The guidance asks banks and credit unions to wait a 30 day period from the date of a deposit to any use of it, and they are asked to communicate with a customer directly regarding that potential use. Financial institutions are urged to reverse application of payments as promptly as possible if they automatically apply new deposited funds to overdrafts or other debts.
Department of Revenue Services Assistance Program
The state Department of Revenue Services has launched a new assistance program, available to business and individual taxpayers who may be currently unable to meet collections obligations. Taxpayers who are subjects of payment plans, bank warrants, wage executions or other levies needing relief are asked to contact DRS directly to speak to a professional. They are asked to call 860-541-7650 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or to email [email protected].
Presidential Primary Postponed To August 11
To protect voters’, poll workers’ and vulnerable individuals’ health and safety, Governor Lamont has postponed the presidential primary to August 11. Originally, the primary was scheduled for April 28, and was initially rescheduled to June 2 before the second delay. This new date correlates with state and local primaries already scheduled, likely assisting voting turnout and increasing participation in the voting process.
Stress-Relief “Talk It Out” Hotline Launched
Parents and caretakers who are experiencing increased stress and struggling with the needs resulting from caring for children during COVID-19 are invited to call the new “Talk It Out” hotline. Trained professionals are ready to listen to and speak with those in need about concerns and potentially connect individuals with responsive services. Parents and caretakers are asked to call 1-833-258-5011 or visit www.talkitoutct.com for more information and to receive relief.
AdvanceCT Business Survey
AdvanceCT, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing economic competition in Connecticut, has launched a second survey for state businesses with a goal of providing continued feedback to state leaders regarding business impact of COVID-19. These survey results will be used to prioritize economic recovery initiatives. The survey can be accessed here.
State begins site visits to every nursing home
To provide additional support to the state’s nursing homes and long-term care facilities, the Connecticut Department of Public Health has announced that its staff will be making physical, on-site visits to all of Connecticut’s 215 nursing homes and long-term care facilities over the next seven to ten days.
The department’s Healthcare Quality and Safety Branch, with guidance from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will conduct infection control surveys during each visit. This will be a first among states in the region, as all nurses in the Facility Licensing and Investigations Section have been fit-tested for N95 respirators, which is a federal requirement.
Boosting Medicaid Payments To Nursing Homes
Governor Lamont is boosting Medicaid payments for all of Connecticut’s 215 nursing homes by an additional 5 percent above the recently announced 10 percent increase. Together, the 15 percent across-the-board financial relief will provide an additional $65 million in Medicaid payment increases to the state’s nursing homes.
The state’s increased financial support will be applied toward:
• Employee wages, including staff retention bonuses, overtime, and shift incentive payments;
• New costs related to screening of visitors;
• Personal protective equipment;
• Cleaning and housekeeping supplies; and
• Other costs related to COVID-19.
In addition, Gov. Lamont is also implementing the following measures to the state’s Medicaid program:
• Connecticut will provide an across-the-board rate increase of 10 percent for non-COVID beds, retroactive to March 1 (previously, the 10 percent increase was to take affect April 1).
• Connecticut will provide an additional across-the-board rate increase of 5 percent for non-COVID beds for the period of April 1 through June 30, bringing the total increase during this period of 15 percent.
• Connecticut will reimburse at $400 per day for COVID-positive residents in non-COVID recovery facilities. This rate is in effect for a maximum of 30 days per bed.
• Connecticut’s advance of $11.6 million from the initial 10 percent rate increase, which was received by skilled nursing facilities on April 7, is now being extended back to March 1 – adding $12 million in immediate revenue.
The state is also assisting with start-up costs and $600 per-day payment to all facilities that are designated by the state Department of Public Health as suitable to be re-opened for the purpose of serving residents with COVID-19 who are being discharged from hospitals and who need nursing home level of care.
Altogether, the extra across-the-board Medicaid payments for all nursing homes totals $65 million. Another $15.4 million is dedicated to special nursing home services for COVID-positive residents.
