Lamont Not Planning New Mask Mandate Due To Delta Variant: Report

CONNECTICUT — A new mask mandate is not currently being considered by Gov. Ned Lamont, even as Connecticut sees an uptick in coronavirus cases primarily attributed to the more-contagious Delta variant, reported the Hartford Courant.

As of Tuesday, the state reported 218 new COVID-19 cases from 8,055 tests, which pushed the positivity rate close to 3 percent (2.7 percent). COVID-19 hospitalizations increased by four to 54 patients statewide.

With the increase in reported coronavirus cases, a spokesperson for Lamont told the Courant that the governor is keeping his options open for the future as it pertains to masks, but currently there are no plans to implement a new mask mandate.

As for schools this fall, WTNH-TV's Jodi Latina reported that Lamont has not made a final decision about masks in schools, but hopes to resolve the matter within a couple of weeks.

In June, Lamont said he was waiting for guidance from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention before he lifts the mandate of masks in schools from last year.

Read the Hartford Courant story.