![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.eastwindsorchamber.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/6deb1a83-eeec-48f8-9efa-fab2f1cf0f9b.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
As of Thursday, April 2, there are 3,824 positive COVID-19 cases in Connecticut, with 112 deaths and 827 people hospitalized. This is up from the 3,557 Connecticut residents who tested positive, the 85 who died, and the 766 hospitalized as of Wednesday. Thursday\u2019s numbers were 267 positive cases, 27 dead, and 61 hospitalized.<\/p>\n
For a town-by-town breakdown and other COVID-19 statistics, please visit:\u00a0https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/Coronavirus<\/a><\/p>\n Coronavirus Scams<\/p>\n The IRS has issued an alert to taxpayers that an increased number of individuals are attempting to conduct scams about COVID-19, which could lead to tax-related fraud and identity theft. IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig said the IRS will not call anyone asking for financial information or verifications to receive economic impact payments or tax refunds faster, which further applies to emails appearing to come from the IRS. Do not open or click attachments or links; go to IRS.gov for up-to-date information.<\/p>\n Emails, text messages, websites and social media posts asking for or requesting money or personal information should all be ignored or reported to the IRS as they will likely be fraudulent. In most cases, the IRS will deposit economic impact payments into the direct deposit account taxpayers previously provided on tax returns. Taxpayers who previously filed but did not provide direct deposit information to the IRS will be able to publish that information on an IRS.gov online portal in mid-April. The IRS will otherwise mail a check to an individual\u2019s address on file. Retirees who normally don\u2019t have requirements to file tax returns do not need to take action to receive their economic impact payment. Retirees will receive their payments automatically.<\/p>\n The IRS reported scammers may:<\/p>\n If you receive unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be from the IRS, please forward information to\u00a0phishing@irs.gov\u00a0and be sure not to engage with that person.<\/p>\n Access Health CT Extends New Special Enrollment Period For The Uninsured<\/p>\n The Access Health CT\u00a0New Special Enrollment Period<\/strong>\u00a0has been extended through Friday, April 17, 2020 for uninsured Connecticut residents to enroll in a health insurance plan.<\/p>\n The only way to sign up for this\u00a0New Special Enrollment Period<\/strong>\u00a0is by calling 1-855-365-2428.<\/p>\n Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event, such as loss of coverage due to job change or job loss, can\u00a0ALWAYS<\/strong>\u00a0enroll online and all help is free.<\/p>\n Customers that are recently unemployed and lost health insurance due to job loss, need to verify information or have questions about IRS 1095 tax forms, can visit\u00a0AccessHealthCT.com<\/a>\u00a0for faster service.<\/p>\n District Wide Food Distribution Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n The following organizations provide food distribution. A schedule of food availability through mid-April can be found at\u00a0this link<\/a>. Each organization has separate requirements and times for those seeking food; please call before visiting a location.<\/p>\n East Hartford Food Distribution<\/strong> Ellington Food Distribution<\/strong> East Windsor Food Distribution<\/strong> South Windsor Food Distribution<\/strong> New Store Safety Rules Effective Friday, April 3<\/strong><\/p>\n Under new guidelines issued by the state, upon opening for businesses on April 3, every retail establishment in Connecticut is required to take additional protective measures to reduce the risk of transmission of the COVID-19 virus between and among customers, employees, and other persons such as delivery drivers and maintenance people. Insurance Premium Grace Period<\/p>\n The state has ordered that beginning on April 1, 2020 for a period of 60 days, no insurer in Connecticut \u2013 including life, health, auto property, casualty, and other types \u2013 may lapse or terminate a covered insurance policy because a policyholder doesn\u2019t pay a premium or interest during this time. Latest Executive Order<\/p>\n Governor Lamont\u2019s latest executive order is focused on education and addresses other topics and ensures the following:<\/p>\n 4-CT Charitable Organization<\/strong><\/p>\n As the COVID-19 outbreak continues, it is becoming clear the pandemic has impacted nearly every aspect of life across our state and beyond. This week, a group of state philanthropists created the Connecticut COVID-19 Charity Connection, otherwise known as 4-CT, an independent nonprofit organization seeking to bolster frontline providers serving areas impacted by the crisis. This group will provide financial support to ensure services are able to meet increased demand. The charity has already raised $10 million and hopes to expand that effort significantly to support Connecticut nonprofits. For more information, visit\u00a0www.4-ct.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As of Thursday, April 2, there are 3,824 positive COVID-19 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_price":"","_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_header":"","_tribe_default_ticket_provider":"","_tribe_ticket_capacity":"","_ticket_start_date":"","_ticket_end_date":"","_tribe_ticket_show_description":"","_tribe_ticket_show_not_going":false,"_tribe_ticket_use_global_stock":"","_tribe_ticket_global_stock_level":"","_global_stock_mode":"","_global_stock_cap":"","_tribe_rsvp_for_event":"","_tribe_ticket_going_count":"","_tribe_ticket_not_going_count":"","_tribe_tickets_list":"[]","_tribe_ticket_has_attendee_info_fields":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5899","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-press-releases"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n
\nSt. Rose Church Food Pantry, 33 Church St., 860-289-7916
\nSt. Isaac Ghanian Food Bank, 1 Community St., 860-290-1880
\nSt. Mary’s Church Food Pantry, 30 Maplewood Ave., 860-289-7916
\nFirst Congregational Church of East Hartford Food Pantry, 837 Main St., 860-528-3133
\nSouth Congregational St. Edmunds Church Food Pantry, 1301 Forbes St., 860-568-5150
\nCharity SDA Church Food Pantry, 1535 Forbes St., 860-568-5866
\nFree Bread from Agape Fellowship, 464 Tolland Street, bread and baked goods
\nThe Bridge, 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J, 860-372-4141 \u2013 by appointment only
\nCommunity Meals \u2013 Takeout Only
\nFriendship Center, 12 Rector Street, 860-528-5605
\nNew Covenant United Church Methodist Church, 16 Church St., 860-528-2228
\nCommodity Supplemental Food Program
\nMonthly food boxes for low-income seniors by appointment, 860-528-2228
\nMobile Foodshare
\nPlease visit\u00a0www.foodshare.org\/mobile<\/a> for a full schedule and up-to-date information amid possible changes due to COVID-19<\/p>\n
\nThe town has a non-perishable food bank located in the Human Services Department at 31 Arbor Way. Residents in need can receive monthly distributions and are asked to provide proof of residency, income and assets. The food bank is open by appointment only and operates during town business hours. Please call 860-870-3128.
\nCrystal Lake Food Pantry is run out of the United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake community room providing food to families in Ellington, Stafford and the surrounding region. It is located at 278 Sandy Beach Road; please email\u00a0clfpellington@gmail.com\u00a0for more information.
\nGrandma’s Free Pantry is a “take what you need, leave what you can” food pantry open to the public in front of Ellington Human Services at 21 Arbor Way.<\/p>\n
\nThe Five Corner Cupboard Food Pantry at 140 Phelps Road is still operating amid the COVID-19 outbreak, though it plans to evaluate that week to week. It accepts donations Mondays from 8 a.m. to noon and Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. with several dropboxes for non-perishables available around town. Please call 860-758-7763 for guidance on how to receive food assistance.<\/p>\n
\nThe town operates a food pantry through its Human Services Department at 150 Nevers Road for details. Please call 860-648-6361 for more information.
\nThe Bridge Pantry at 400 Chapel Road Unit 1J offers food distribution in the community. Please call 860-372-4141 for more details.<\/p>\n
\nThe new rules are:<\/p>\n\n
\nThis grace period is not automatic, however. To be eligible, affected policyholders must provide additional information acceptable to their insurance carriers.<\/p>\n\n