TODAY’S UPDATE (5/4): 12th Day in a Row with Net Decline in Hospitalizations & A Slowing of the State’s Death Rate/ Free Online Job Training/ SBA Relief for Agriculture Businesses/ Non Tax Filers with Dependents Must Act by May 5th for Federal Stimulus/ School & Summer Camp Announcement Coming Soon
Since Saturday’s update, an additional 611 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Connecticut for Sunday and today, bringing the statewide total to 29,973, including a total of 53 confirmed cases in East Windsor (+1 since Saturday) and 38 confirmed cases in Ellington (no change since Saturday). The total COVID-19 associated fatalities of residents reported in East Windsor has increased to 6 associated deaths (+2 since yesterday) and Ellington did not change (still at 4 resident deaths) according to today’s state data.
To date, a total of 105,330 tests have been performed in Connecticut (+2,837 since Saturday). This data set includes persons who were tested multiple times or multiple specimens tested from the same person.
Approximately 1,464 COVID-19 patients are currently hospitalized (net -24 since yesterday). This is the 12th straight day of net declines in hospitalizations statewide. The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 2,556 (+61 since yesterday). The Governor’s Office notes that the day-to-day changes are preliminary and reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week.
Please continue to practice social distancing. It appears to be working.
FREE ONLINE JOB TRAINING AVAILABLE
There has been a statewide expansion of a program that will make free online learning licenses available to recipients of unemployment insurance, including those who have been impacted by the economic fallout of the COVID-19 public health crisis. The SkillUp CT program was originally launched in eastern Connecticut, and there will be a sustained roll out of the program across the state over the coming weeks.
Eligible Connecticut residents will receive email instructions on obtaining a Metrix Learning license that provides them access to about 5,000 online Skillsoft courses in areas such as information technology, business analysis, customer service, project management, and digital literacy, among others. Eligible residents with an internet connection and a computer can access courses. SkillUp CT also offers training tracks leading to over 100 industry certifications and will provide career coaching through the workforce boards.
To enroll in SkillUp CT, unemployment insurance claimants in Connecticut should visit ct.metrixlearning.com/landing.cfm.
SBA RELIEF AVAILABLE FOR AGRICULTURE BUSINESSES
SBA announced they will accept new Federal EIDL loan applications on a limited basis for U.S. Agricultural businesses ONLY.
According to the SBA web site, the new eligibility is made possible as a result of the latest round of funds appropriated by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At this time, only agricultural business applications will be accepted due to limitations in funding availability and the unprecedented submission of applications already received. Applicants who have already submitted their applications will continue to be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. For agricultural businesses that submitted an EIDL application through the streamlined application portal prior to the legislative change, SBA will process these applications without the need for re-applying.
For more information, please visit: https://www.sba.gov/page/disaster-loan-applications…
NON TAX FILERS WITH DEPENDENTS MUST ACT BEFORE 5/5 FOR FEDERAL STIMULUS
A reminder that non-filers who have dependents must register with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) by noon on May 5, 2020 in order to have $500 per child added to their $1,200 coronavirus stimulus payment. This includes residents who receive either Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits and didn’t file a tax return in 2018 or 2019.
Please visit the IRS website for more information: https://www.irs.gov/coro…/non-filers-enter-payment-info-here
SCHOOL & SUMMER CAMP ANNOUNCEMENT FORTHCOMING
During today’s press briefing, the Governor mentioned that the Commissioners of Education and Early Childhood will be making an announcement about the rest of the school year and the opening of summer camps within the next couple days.
For more information on the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, please visit ct.gov/coronavirus
As always, if you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please do not hesitate to contact me at [email protected] or repdavis.com.