30 CT Towns Now In 'Red Alert' Zone As Coronavirus Cases Soar

CONNECTICUT — There are now 30 towns in the state's "red alert" zone for the coronavirus, up from 19 last week. Most of the towns are in southeastern Connecticut, but Stamford and North Canaan have been added as well.

Towns are designated in the red zone if their daily coronavirus case average goes above 15 cases per 100,000 people. These towns can scale back to the state's second reopening phase if they choose. Windham and New Haven have tightened restrictions on businesses back to phase 2.

Gov. Ned Lamont revealed more bad news Thursday as the state's coronavirus positivity rate ballooned to 6.1 percent over the past 24 hours. A total of 1,319 new cases were reported, along with five more deaths. The number of hospitalizations is at 321, an increase of 12.

During a news conference Thursday, Lamont had some encouraging words to other municipalities considering taking the plunge back to the second reopening phase — even if they are not in the red zone.

"I think that if you are in the orange or red zone, and you want to roll back in the interest of public safety, you want to roll back and send a message to your people ... they should be allowed to do that," Lamont said. "And frankly it makes sense to me because it's the mayors and local public health (officials) who are responsible for enforcing the rules. I want them to have rules they believe in."

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Lamont was asked why he was not instituting stricter statewide regulations on businesses and the size of public gatherings as he did at the start of the pandemic. Speaking at a news conference regarding the enhancement of mental health services in Connecticut, Lamont said he was hoping to not make the pandemic any more stressful than it already was.

"We are doing everything we can to keep things open," the governor said.

The coronavirus red zone towns as of Thursday are:

1. Ansonia
2. Bridgeport
3. Canterbury
4. Cromwell
5. Danbury
6. East Hartford
7. Ellington
8. Franklin
9. Griswold
10. Groton
11. Hartford
12. Killingly
13. Lisbon
14. Middlebury
15. Middlefield
16. Montville
17. New Britain
18. New London
19. North Canaan
20. Norwalk
21. Norwich
22. Old Saybrook
23. Plainfield
24. Sprague
25. Stamford
26. Waterbury
27. Waterford
28. Watertown
29. Windham
30. Wolcott

See also: Lamont Calls Out CT Pub 'Flagrantly' Breaking Virus Rules

• CT Polling Places Are Disinfected And Ready For Their Close-Up

If you live in a red zone, officials said, it may be prudent to get a coronavirus test once a week. They said there is no hard and fast rule, but they encourage people in these towns to get tested as often as possible.

The state Department of Public Health issues an alert in towns that reach the threshold and encourages towns to consider going to distance learning once the average daily case count goes above 25 per 100,000 population.

DPH also advises people in red alert towns, especially members of the most vulnerable populations, to limit trips outside their home and avoid social gatherings with non-family members. Community groups are asked to postpone indoor activities and outdoor activities where social distancing and mask use can't be maintained at all times.