CT Coronavirus Hospitalizations Stable, But Holidays Bring Worry

CONNECTICUT — Coronavirus trends stayed mostly stable over the weekend in Connecticut as more than 7,200 new coronavirus cases and a 6.08 percent positive test rate were reported over three days.

Coronavirus hospitalizations increased by 33 patients over the weekend up to 1,243, though it was far from even over the three days. Net hospitalizations were flat Friday, down 34 patients Saturday and up 67 Sunday, Gov. Ned Lamont said. Hospitalizations haven't changed greatly since the beginning of the month, when there were 1,202 patients as of Dec. 1.

Intensive care capacity is at 59 percent across the state, Lamont said, with less than half comprised of coronavirus patients.

The proportion of COVID-19 patients in critical care is much different from March and April, said Keith Grant, senior system director for infection control at Hartford HealthCare. Grant was among the first people vaccinated for the coronavirus Monday morning at Hartford Hospital.

Coronavirus treatment is significantly better than it was in March and April, Grant said. People can also get care earlier, he said.

Another 81 coronavirus deaths were reported over the weekend across the state, which brought the death toll to 5,444.

The towns with the most cases over the past week are:

1. Hartford: 950
2. Waterbury: 858
3. Bridgeport: 800
4. Stamford: 73
5. Danbury: 731
6. New Haven: 705
7. New Britain: 552
8. Norwalk: 473
9. Meriden: 450
10. East Hartford: 446