CT Coronavirus Infection Rate Continues To Improve

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut’s coronavirus indicators continue to move in positive directions, including a sharp decline in the infection rate and a sustained drop in coronavirus hospitalizations.

The state’s infection rate and positive test rate continue to decline. Connecticut had 44.8 daily new coronavirus cases per 100,000 residents between Jan. 17 and 30 and a 5.8 percent positive test rate.

The two-week average daily infection rate declined sharply from 68.5 around the New Year and is at its lowest point in months.

The positive trends have prompted Gov. Ned Lamont to loosen restrictions for houses of worship and restaurants. The 100-person cap on religious services was lifted, but there is still a 50 percent capacity restriction and mandated social distancing and mask use. Restaurants will be allowed to have in-person dining until 11 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.

However, some uncertainty remains on the horizon due to highly contagious variants, like the one that was first identified in the United Kingdom. Lamont said he would issue guidance on things like spring weddings in a couple of weeks when the variant effect is better understood. The governor remained confident that vaccinations could head-off the effects of the variant.

Connecticut health officials use the per capita infection rate as one of the main indicators to gauge the level of infections.

Red zone map

Nearly all of Connecticut remains in the state’s red zone for coronavirus infections, but some small towns dropped to the state’s lowest warning level. On the bright side 131 towns saw a decrease in infection rates compared to the previous two-week period.

Connecticut health officials recommend the following for municipalities in the red zone:

• Individuals: Limit trips outside home, avoiding gatherings with non-family members. High-risk individuals should stay home.
• Communities: Cancel public events and limit community gathering points, alert residents via reverse 911 system.
• Organized group activities: Postpone all indoor activities. Postpone outdoor activities where mask wearing or social distancing cannot be maintained at all times.
• Prekindergarten-grade 12 schools: In collaboration with local health department and superintendent, consider more distance learning if cases are greater than 25 per 100,000 residents per day over a two-week average.

Schools

Reported coronavirus cases among students and staff declined for the third consecutive week with 726 cases among students and 229 among staff.