As of April 3, 2020, a total of 4914 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents. 909 patients are currently hospitalized. 131 residents have died. The increase in cases reported today is related to catch up of data entry and implementation of a new method for reporting cases to the Department of Public Health. This is up from the 3,824 Connecticut residents who tested positive, the 112 who died, and the 827 hospitalized as of Thursday. This increase does not reflect a change in the trajectory of the outbreak.

For a town-by-town breakdown and other COVID-19 statistics, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

Additional SNAP benefits

The Department of Social Services will provide emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits to nearly 100,000 Connecticut SNAP participants on April 9 and April 20. Authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act of 2020, these extra benefits will go to approximately 87,000 households currently not receiving maximum benefits allowed for their household size. All households enrolled in SNAP will receive the maximum food benefit allowable for their household size. More information is available at www.ct.gov/snap.

Department of Social Services extends winter home-heating assistance application deadline

The Department of Social Services announced it will extend the application period for the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program to June 1, 2020 for those applying for assistance to help cover this past winter’s heating bills; the initial deadline was May 1. For application sites and eligibility information, please visit ct.gov/staywarm, call 211, text CTWARM to 898-211 or contact a local community action agency.

Small Business Protection Program 
The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to help small businesses stay open and provide direct incentives for small businesses to keep workers on payroll. The Small Business Association will forgive portions of loans if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest or utilities. It is available from April 3 through June 30.

This program is for any small business, private non-profit or veterans organizations affected by COVID-19 with less than 500 employees. Businesses in certain industries may have more than 500 employees if they meet SBA size standards for their industries. Small businesses in hospitality and food with multiple locations can also be eligible at store and location levels if they employ less than 500 workers.

Businesses can apply through any existing SBA 7(a) lender or any federally insured depository institution, federally insured credit union or farm credit system institution participating. Other regulated lenders will be available to make these loans once they are approved and enrolled in the program. For a list of SBA preferred lenders, click here.

Portions of loans will be forgiven for payroll costs and interest on mortgages, rent and utilities – at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount must be used for payroll. Loan payments will be deferred for six months with no collateral or personal guarantees required. Forgiveness is based on employers maintaining or quickly rehiring employees and maintaining salary levels. If full-time headcount declines, or salaries and wages degrease, forgiveness will be reduced.

A sample application form is available here. More general information is available here.

New State Park and Forest Regulations
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, or DEEP, announced the following measures to reduce crowding and help visitors stay safe outdoors:

  • Picnic tables and areas in state parks and forests are now closed.
  • “Walk-in” visitors are no longer allowed when parks are closed, whether due to parking capacity or other reasons.
  • Solitary recreation is recommended. Groups of more than five are prohibited.
  • Violating these rules can be prosecuted as up to a felony and may include a ban from state parks and similar properties for 30 days.

Going outside to get exercise remains important right now, and DEEP shared these steps to stay safe outdoors:

  • Use social distancing, staying at least six feet from others.
  • Go outdoors as a solitary activity or in a very small group; if you get to a place that’s already crowded, find another place to go.
  • If you are not feeling well, stay home; if you cough or sneeze, do it into your sleeve.
  • Be careful about what you touch, and don’t touch your face.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds as often as possible, especially before and after going outdoors.
  • As restroom facilities are closed, “go before you go” and limit the length of your trip.
  • Don’t pet dogs that aren’t your own – it’s believed COVID-19 can survive on dog fur from human contact.
  • Take out what you take in.

Protecting Domestic Violence Victims
Victims of domestic abuse no longer need to sign applications for orders of protection under oath in front of notaries or attorneys. Instead, they must sign applications outside the presence of a third party under penalty of false statement. This ensures victims of domestic abuse continue to have court access.

New Rules For Lodging
A new executive order places new restrictions on non-essential lodging. Hotels, motels, inns, bed and breakfasts and short-term residential rentals are now prohibited from renting to customers for leisure or vacation purposes. Lodging there must be limited to:

  • Health care workers, first responders and essential workers
  • Workers transporting critical materials to hospitals
  • Vulnerable populations
  • State residents needing a place to self-quarantine away from family or roommates
  • Those receiving long-term care or specialized medical treatment
  • Those needing housing as a result of property damage, like a fire
  • People unable to return home due to travel limitations
  • People who provide or service lodging

Alcohol Deliveries

Food establishments and liquor manufacturers under certain conditions can now deliver alcohol and manufacturers can sell alcoholic liquor for pick-up and delivery, allowing for safer delivery and reduced travel.