Bethel Coronavirus Update: 180 Confirmed Cases

BETHEL, CT — The Connecticut Department of Public Health has confirmed that 180 cases of the new coronavirus have been reported in Bethel as of Monday, and 13 deaths have been attributed to COVID-19.

The Board of Selectmen approved a tax deferral program to help residents and businesses who have suffered income losses as a result of the pandemic shutdown. The program is open to all Bethel residents, businesses and non-profits.

The program offers a 90-day deferral on all real and personal property taxes, utility charges and assessments between March 10 and July 1, 2020. This will apply to April tax bills that are currently pending, as well as tax bills to be issued in June. For those that qualify, the new deadline date for April taxes will be July 1; for June taxes, the deadline date will be October 1.

To qualify for the program, residents and businesses must sign a form attesting to a loss of income during this period of 20 percent or more. There are more details on the town website.

Connecticut continues to see a decline in the net number of hospitalizations. The state is likely seven to 10 days away from an announcement about certain businesses that can be reopened in a limited capacity. There was a drop of eight net hospitalization cases Monday. Another 88 people died, which brings the state's total to 2,012.