CT Coronavirus Updates: Hospitalizations Rise, Benefits Increase

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut continued its trend of a low positive test rate Tuesday. The state saw a slight uptick in the number of coronavirus patients in hospitals, but the number still remains around mid-November levels.

There was an increase of 11 patients up to 826 hospitalized — the number of patients hospitalized declined or were flat for more than two weeks.

Connecticut reported another 869 cases Tuesday and a daily positive test rate of 3.84 percent. The state’s positive test rate average over the past seven days is around 3.43 percent.

SNAP benefits increasing

Lamont announced that the state Department of Social Services will provide $19 million in emergency supplemental nutrition assistance (SNAP) benefits to around 117,000 households that aren’t currently receiving maximum benefits allowed for their household size.

The maximum benefit amount is $430 for a household of two, $616 for a household of three and $782 for a household of four.

The average benefit for a household will increase by around $155. Funds will be transferred to electronic benefits transfer cards on Feb. 18.

The United States Department of Agriculture is considering new guidance that would allow states to increase emergency SNAP benefits for households not eligible to receive it. The state will have a chance to change the benefits once guidance is received.