CT Continues Good Coronavirus Trends, Lamont Cautions Super Bowl

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut continued its positive coronavirus trends Thursday, but Gov. Ned Lamont urged people to exercise caution when thinking about Super Bowl celebrations.

He encouraged people to celebrate in person with members of the same household. The state saw how cases and hospitalizations increased following holiday gatherings, he said.

“We’ve got to make sure it’s also an event we handle cautiously and make sure it doesn’t create a spike up,” Lamont said. “The trend lines are so positive right now.”

Connecticut reported 937 coronavirus cases Thursday and a daily positive test rate of 3.14 percent. Coronavirus hospitalizations declined by 37 patients down to 837, which is the lowest level since mid-November. Another 28 deaths were reported.

Net coronavirus hospitalizations decreases are mainly due to fewer people being admitted in the first place, state Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said. Of those admitted more than 90 percent survive.

Lamont remains cautiously optimistic that Connecticut can continue its positive trends in reducing coronavirus infections and hospitalizations, but said he worried about what was in store if highly contagious coronavirus variants become more widespread.

Guidance on things including spring wedding gatherings would come in the next couple of weeks, he said.

Vaccines

More than 459,000 coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in Connecticut as of Thursday with 358,000 being first doses. Around half of the state’s 75 and older population has received at least one dose.

The vast majority of people over 75 should be able to get their first dose by mid-Feburary, Lamont said.

Connecticut is on track to reschedule all vaccine appointments canceled due to the storm by the end of the weekend, Geballe said

There is still a wide variation in vaccination rates for the 75 and older population in many cities. Around 24 percent of Bridgeport residents over the age of 75 are vaccinated and only 18 percent of New Britain residents of the same age are vaccinated as of Thursuday.

The state Department of Public Health is helping cities and any other local health department that needs it, Commissioner Deidre Gifford said. Vaccine clinics will be done at senior housing in Bridgeport to help boost the vaccination rate.