Today, June 18, testing data for COVID-19 revealed 81 new confirmed infections in Connecticut, bringing the total of individuals in the state who have contracted the illness to 45,440. The 81 positive tests were among 4,722 total tests tracked, giving a positive percentage rate of 1.7 percent. Tragically, another 7 individuals died of COVID-19 yesterday, adding to a total of 4,226 individuals who have lost their lives; currently, 176 patients in Connecticut are currently hospitalized with the illness, down 10 from yesterday. A total of 370,638 COVID-19 tests have been administered in the state to date.
As of today, Connecticut as a whole has an overall positive test ratio of 2.1 percent in the last two weeks, indicating a decline in overall COVID-19 cases. On average, the state’s two-week rolling average of new infections has dropped from 240 to 155, meaning 85 fewer infections are happening per day compared to two weeks ago. Connecticut remains one of only nine states in the country seeing declining rates of infection.
Supreme Court Votes To Continue “DACA” Program
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as “DACA,” cannot be shut down by the federal government. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled to continue the program, which allows for nearly 800,000 young people across the United States – including approximately 3,800 Connecticut residents – to avoid deportation and remain in the United States. While this ruling leaves open the possibility of further action by federal authorities to end the program, it represents an important protection for thousands of Connecticut residents, and hundreds of thousands of residents, working and living in the United States.
Connecticut Continues to Reopen; Phase 2 Now in Effect
As coronavirus hospitalizations in Connecticut have continued to decline, the state has entered Phase 2 of the reopening process. There are still guidelines set in place that include social distancing from others and wearing face masks while out in public.
Businesses included in Phase 2 reopening include:
· Hotels
· Amusement parks
· Libraries
· Indoor dining
· Indoor museums, zoos, and aquariums
· Indoor recreation (bowling, movie theaters)
· Personal services (nail salons, tattoo parlors)
· Sports and fitness facilities (gyms, fitness centers, pools)
Recommendations to Businesses to Flush Water In Pipes Before Reopening
As more businesses continue to reopen bringing the state back to normal following the coronavirus pandemic, commercial customers who were closed because of the virus are being reminded that the water inside their building’s plumbing system may be unsafe. Any water left in pipes of a building could become stagnant and present health, safety and taste concerns. It is recommended that building owners follow the guidance from the Department of Public Health (DPH) to properly flush out their internal plumbing. Before reopening, DPH recommends that businesses bring their water systems back into service by thoroughly and methodically flushing all faucets, shower heads, ice makers and other water fixtures with cold water first and hot water second. The full steps recommended can be found here.
New Standards For Police
Amid the national discussion of police accountability and transparency, law enforcement strategies and programs in Connecticut have been updated this week. The Connecticut State Police are now banned from using chokeholds, strangleholds and any other tactics restricting blood or oxygen flow to the head or neck. Troopers will also be equipped with body cameras, with every marked vehicle to be equipped with dashboard cameras.
Additionally, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) will update the state police operations manual, emphasizing several new strategies focusing on de-escalation. These include requiring officers to use all reasonable alternatives before resorting to deadly force, requiring troopers to intervene if another officer uses excessive force, prohibiting troopers from shooting at or into moving vehicles, including a matrix on use-of-force, and requiring troopers to report all uses of force.
Further, DESPP must appoint and train community trust liaisons in each state police troop. These liaisons will assist troopers in building local and organizational relationships and improve relationships between state police and the public. DESPP will also be prohibited from purchasing or acquiring military equipment from the federal government.
Easing Visitor Restrictions at Hospitals as COVID-19 Hospitalizations Continue to Decline
Hospitalizations for COVID-19 are down in Connecticut and one of the state’s largest health care systems, Hartford HealthCare, has begun easing some visitor restrictions at its hospitals and outpatient facilities. The system said one visitor will be allowed at a time and visitors must be 16 or older, wear face masks, pass a screening for symptoms and maintain physical distancing while inside the hospital. Visiting hours will vary by facility and program and there will still be some restrictions on visiting emergency departments as well as critical and intensive care units.
Updated Guidance on Indoor and Outdoor Gatherings
As hospitalizations from COVID-19 continue to decline in Connecticut and the state begins to return back to normalcy, Governor Lamont has released new guidance for indoor and outdoor gatherings for the next several weeks.
Effective now:
If you have an indoor private gathering, you can have up to 25 people there. An outdoor gathering, you can have up to 100 people. At an outdoor event venue such as an amphitheater or racetrack, there can be 25% of fire capacity and social distancing needs to be practiced.
Effective on July 3:
Indoor private gatherings will remain up to 25 people and outdoor private gatherings will remain up to 100 people with a one-time exception of 150 people for graduations. Outdoor organized gatherings such as fireworks or concerts in municipal parks will be allowed with the order of 15 feet of space from blanket to blanket, with a cap of 500 people.
Effective mid-July (date to be determined):
Indoor private gatherings will be allowed to increase to 50 people and outdoor private gatherings will be allowed to increase to 250 people. At an outdoor event venue such as an amphitheater or racetrack, there can be 50% of fire capacity and social distancing needs to be practiced.
Bradley Airport Rolls Out New Safety Program
As Bradley International Airport prepares for the return of more passengers following the coronavirus pandemic, it is rolling out a new readiness and safety program, BDL Cares. Passengers will need to follow these guidelines in order to keep themselves and others safe while in the airport and on the plane. Click here to see what changes are being made to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the airport.
