TODAY’S UPDATE (4/23): New Data with Net Decline in Hospitalizations/ Unemployment Update/ Update on Reopening/ New Executive Order
Since yesterday’s update, an additional 631 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Connecticut, bringing the statewide total to 23,100, including a total of 27 confirmed cases in East Windsor (+5 since yesterday) and 28 confirmed cases in Ellington (+1 since yesterday). No new COVID-19 associated fatalities were reported in East Windsor (total of 1 resident death) and Ellington (total 4 resident deaths) in today’s data.
To date, more than 71,497 patients have been tested in Connecticut (+1,579 since yesterday). Approximately 1,947 patients are currently hospitalized (net -25 since yesterday). The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 1,639 (+95 since yesterday). The Governor’s Office notes that the day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week.
Please continue to practice social distancing.
UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE
Implementation of the weekly $600 federal supplemental benefit is expected by April 25, 2020, with payments beginning by April 27, 2020.
Once you begin receiving increased weekly payments, you can expect a subsequent lump sum payment with all retroactive weeks within the next two weeks. This retroactive payment will date back to all eligible weeks that were filed since the FPUC program was enacted on March 29, 2020.
For an update FAQ, please visit: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/DOLCOVIDFAQ.PDF
GOVERNOR MAKES APPOINTMENTS TO NEW REOPEN CT ADVISORY GROUP
The reopening of non-essential businesses in CT likely won’t come until June at the earliest and will take months to complete according to a statement today from the chairperson of the Governor’s new Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group. The Governor announced the final appointments to the advisory group today.
For more infromation on the membership of the advisory group, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ybacv8sp
GOVERNOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 7EE
Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 32nd since he enacted the emergency declarations. Executive Order No. 7EE enacts the following provisions:
· Mandatory reporting by managed residential communities: Requires all managed residential communities, including assisted living facilities, to provide daily status reports to the state using the existing Connecticut Hospital and Long-Term Care Mutual Aid Plan.
· Mandatory reporting by nursing homes: Requires all nursing homes to provide daily status reports using the Connecticut Hospital and Long-Term Care Mutual Aid Plan.
· Civil Penalties for failure to comply with mandatory reporting: Subjects nursing homes that fail to comply with the mandatory reporting requirements of this order to civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
· Waiving certain Medicaid prior authorization requirements: Modifies state statutes and regulations to authorize the commissioner of the Department of Social Services to temporarily waive, suspend, or modify any prior authorization and other utilization review requirements.
· Waiving Medicaid bed reservation requirements for residents who are on leave from intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities: Authorizes the commissioner of the Department of Social Services to temporarily waive, suspend, or modify requirements to reserve beds for certain time periods for residents who are on home leave or who are hospitalized.
· Waiving requirements for signed delivery receipt for medical equipment, devices, and supplies: Authorizes the commissioner of the Department of Social Services to temporarily waive, suspend, or modify requirements for providers of medical equipment, devices, and supplies to obtain a signed delivery receipt from the Medicaid member as a condition of payment.
For the language of the executive order, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y8o6m8ru
For more information on the state’s coronavirus response, please visit ct.gov/coronavirus
If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to contact me at [email protected] or repdavis.com