TODAY’S UPDATE (4/24): New Data with Another Net Decline in Hospitalizations/ Ellington Non-Profit Offering Assistance/ New Funding for Small Business PPP Loans/ New Executive Order

Since yesterday’s update, an additional 821 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Connecticut, bringing the statewide total to 23,921, including a total of 33 confirmed cases in East Windsor (+5 since yesterday and including now a total of 7 confirmed cases at Fresh River Nursing Home) and 28 confirmed cases in Ellington (no change since yesterday). The total COVID-19 associated fatalities of residents reported in East Windsor has been adjusted to 0 and Ellington now has a total of 5 associated fatalities (+1 since yesterday) in today’s data.

To date, more than 74,038 patients have been tested in Connecticut (+2,541 since yesterday). Approximately 1,877 patients are currently hospitalized (net -70 since yesterday and the largest daily drop reported yet). The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 1,764 (+125 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.

ELLINGTON NON-PROFIT OFFERING GIFT CARDS, FOOD PANTRY MATCH, & MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

Ellington-based non-profit Today I Matter Inc. Is dedicated to reducing the shame and stigma of addiction and mental illnesses. They also promote the physical, emotional, and mental health of our communities. If you have experienced financial loss due to this epidemic and would like help in the form of $50 gift card for a local grocery, please contact them at todayimatter.org if you can come to pick it up in Ellington. CT. Gift cards are available now as long as supplies last.

They are also offering free on line video chat support with organization founder, John Lally, a Ellington resident and a retired psychiatric nurse practitioner with 30 plus years of experience in psychotherapy. He is volunteering his time to those who need someone to talk about their fears and worries, and to validate their concerns. This is not in depth psychotherapy but supportive conversation and he can share some basic coping skills. If you are interested in a 20 to 30 minute supportive conversation, please message him with your email address at todayImatter.org. He will schedule some time with you to set up a Zoom video chat at your mutual convenience. John says the chat will not be recorded and will remain confidential.

Today I Matter is also matching donations to the Crystal Lake Food Pantry up to a total of $1,000. Contact Today I Matter at todayIMatter.org for more information on how to participate in their food pantry match program.

ADDITIONAL FUNDING AVAILABLE FOR SMALL BUSINESS PPP LOAN PROGRAM

A second business relief package was passed by Congress yesterday, and the SBA will resume taking applications for business assistance under the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program effective Monday, April 27th, at 10:30 a.m.

The new package includes:

-An additional $320 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) with a greater focus on helping small businesses
-Minimum of $30 billion in PPP will be set aside for community development financial institutions, banks and credit unions with less than $10 billion in assets.
-Another $30 billion in PPP at least will go to banks and credit unions with assets between $10 billion and $50 billion.
-An additional $60 billion in loans and grants for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. (This program provides a $10,000 emergency grants as well as loans for eligible businesses)

Businesses should contact their banks as soon as possible to check on previously submitted applications or to file a new application.

Be sure to monitor SBA for new links to updated information: https://tinyurl.com/y83pwqm9

NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 7FF

Today, Governor Lamont signed Executive Order Number 7FF that orders additional flexibility for Medicaid-enrolled providers to perform telehealth through audio-only methods for new patients.

For the language of the executive order, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ybab8795

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.