| On Friday afternoon, Governor Lamont announced that 35 new cases of COVID-19 were tracked in Connecticut has a total of 194 cases. Of those 194 cases, Gov. Lamont said, 40 of them are currently hospitalized. There have also been four fatalities due to COVID-19, all of them in Fairfield County, he added. The steady increase of these numbers, he said, is both due to the spread of COVID-19 in our communities and because of an increased number of available tests. At the beginning of the outbreak, he said, Connecticut could only process 20 test kits per day; today, that rate is closer to 1,000 per day. As the hospitalization rate is likely to increase, the governor said the state is focused on ensuring hospital and health care workers have access to personal protective equipment, and advocated for companies and members of the public with access to masks, gloves and other protective equipment to contact local health care professionals. He also said elective surgeries will be postponed to ensure more medical supplies and resources will be available for future COVID-19 patients. The state is further working to ensure enough health care professionals will be available, including up to 500 retired or retiring nurses returning to the state’s medical reserve corps. He further said nursing schools are working to get current students on the front lines. Stay Safe, Stay At Home Governor Lamont gave details to the state’s “Stay Safe, Stay At Home” policy for the immediate future. He warned individuals over 70 years old to stay home unless absolutely necessary, and for all workers — except for those providing essential services like groceries, pharmacies, and gas stations — to stay home. Further exemptions include major construction projects already underway and major manufacturers, especially defense-critical manufacturing, though leaders are asked to ensure only necessary staff must come to work and for employees to test themselves for symptoms before and after work. For everyone else, Lamont advocated to continue social distancing, preventing large gatherings and unnecessary trips outside the home, and for those in public to stay at least six feet away from others. This is tough medicine for Connecticut, Gov. Lamont said, but it is the right medicine to ensure state health care systems can grow to meet demand and to ensure the public can reduce demand upon the health care system. With these steps in place, Connecticut will get through these tough times together. Income Tax Deadline Extended This week, in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, the federal government extended the filing date for federal income taxes from April 15 to July 15. It has not yet been announced whether the state tax return deadline will remain April 15 or if it too will be delayed. Health Care Seeking Donations As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase, putting hospitals under extreme duress, Yale New Haven Health has asked the public for assistance in donating disposable head covers, gowns, gloves, face masks, respirators, face shields, scrubs, shoe-covers, disinfecting materials, hand cleaners and face masks. Those able to make such donations are asked to contact [email protected]. If you have similar supplies that you can donate to a local or regional hospital or health care center, please contact them. New Guidelines Governor Lamont continues to issue executive orders in light of the COVID-19 outbreak. In his latest executive order:Non-critical court operations have been suspended.Businesses with active liquor permits are now allowed to sell sealed containers of liquor for pickup to meet the state’s requirement that restaurants operate under carryout and delivery only, as long as those sales accompany a food order. Restaurants cannot deliver alcohol under those guidelines.Barbershops, hair salons, tattoo or piercing parlors and related public businesses that require direct client contact must close as of 8 p.m. on March 20.Health care professionals can now operate under telehealth, otherwise known as telephone or digital health care operations.In light of the increased risk of COVID-19 infection among senior citizens, in-person visits to elderly persons in cases of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment are waived.Disclosure time in cases of investigations of abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment has been doubled to 90 days from 45. |
| You’re receiving this newsletter because you either opted in via email or on my website, or you’ve been in touch with me or my office regarding an issue or issues of importance to you. Forward this email to a friendSenator Saud Anwar Connecticut Senate Democrats300 Capitol Ave Rm 3700Legislative Office BuildingHartford, CT 06106-1553 |
