Coronavirus CT: 41 Cases, Drive-Thru Testing Details

HARTFORD, CT — Connecticut officials announced late Monday an additional 15 residents tested positive for the new coronavirus. Thirteen are in Fairfield County, one is in Hartford County, and one is in New Haven County. It brings the number of positive cases reported in the state to 41.

The news came after Connecticut joined New York and New Jersey in announcing mass closures to contain the spread of coronavirus, or COVID-19. Bars, restaurants, casinos, movie theaters, gyms will close at 8 p.m. Monday in all three states, Govs. Ned Lamont, Andrew Cuomo and Phil Murphy announced during a news conference. Restaurants may remain open for take-out and delivery orders.

The action is part of Lamont's fifth executive order since he declared a state of emergency to contain the spread of the virus. The closures are in effect until further notice or at least until April 30, the executive order reads.

"We must do everything we can as a community to slow the spread of this virus so that we don’t overwhelm our healthcare system and we protect the most vulnerable," Lamont said. "Viruses do not know borders, which is why taking a regional approach on this issue is the best plan forward. A national approach to these measures would be the best option to slow and mitigate the spread of this virus."

Supermarkets, pharmacies and gas stations will remain open. Though some are limiting hours. Nonessential travel is discouraged. The governor's order didn't mention liquor stores.

Tribal casinos, like Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods, are sovereign and it's up to them if they close. Mohegan Sun said late Monday afternoon that it would close. (Stay on top of Connecticut coronavirus updates in your town. Sign up for free Patch news alerts and newsletters.)

Some restaurant owners are worried.

Jim Triantis, owner of East Haven’s legendary Twin Pines Diner, is afraid. Afraid for his business and for his dozens of workers and their families. And he’s worried too about his customers, the vast majority of whom are elderly.

"So many older people depend on us," Triantis told Patch. "We’d like to stay open for them. They are the center of my business, people 60 and up. They come every day. Who is going to cook for them? And what about my employees? I have 20, 30 families that rely on their job. Who’s going to pay my rent? My bills? The $20,000 worth of food I’ll have to throw away?"

On the state website for coronavirus updates, there's guidance for workers, employers and small businesses.

Drive-through testing sites approved at several Connecticut hospitals

To help protect patients and support social distancing, alternate coronavirus testing locations have been approved at several hospitals throughout Connecticut and each of them are at varying stages of setting-up drive-thru testing procedures.

The hospitals approved for drive-through test sampling includes:

• Bridgeport Hospital
• Bristol Health
• Danbury Hospital
• Greenwich Hospital
• Stamford Health
• Waterbury Hospital
• Yale-New Haven Hospital

Anyone seeking to be tested must have a prescription from their doctor and make an appointment in advance. Healthcare providers granted streamlined approval process to accelerate availability of coronavirus treatment and services.

Connecticut’s Office of Health Strategy Executive Director Vicki Veltri provided guidelines for a streamlined application, review, and approval process so healthcare providers can adjust treatment services for those afflicted with coronavirus.

In accordance with Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7B, and for the duration of Connecticut’s current public health emergency, OHS may simply waive Certificate of Need requirements for certain transactions and applications.

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Connecticut residents must practice social distancing, governor says

Meanwhile, Lamont said Sunday that to further enforce social distancing to prevent the spread of coronavirus, he said Connecticut residents should refrain from gathering in crowds of 150 or more. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention late Sunday night said groups of 50 or more should be canceled or postponed and people age 60 and over should avoid crowds altogether. By late Monday, the CDC said just 10 people.

Connecticut schools closed

Lamont on Sunday closed all public schools in Connecticut from March 17 through at least March 31 to mitigate the spread of coronavirus as more cases were announced in the state. Lamont said, "This date may be extended if determined necessary."

The State Department of Education has been working with school districts on developing distance learning plans, as well as ensuring students have access to nutritious meals. Students who receive meals through the school lunch/breakfast program will continue to get breakfast and lunch using a drive-thru method to pick up those meals. Lamont said on CNN Monday that students whose families do not have cars will get meals.

"We'll figure that out," Lamont said.

Student education will continue he said as the state is working with internet education companies to provide online education modules.

With the likelihood that closures extend past two weeks, the state education department is working to provide school districts with additional guidance on distance learning, with a basic option to support their planning, and are working with partner districts and providers to develop more robust resources to promote equitable access around Connecticut, a press release from Lamont reads. The agency is in discussions with the Regional Education Service Centers to have them act as repositories of distance learning best practices and other similar resources.

State education officials have been working to ensure that students who receive meals through the school lunch and breakfast program continue to have access to nutritious food. A total of 89 school districts have been approved by the state to serve meals at more than 353 sites. Hartford, at its eight sites, today served 400 lunches and handed out 400 breakfast kits for tomorrow. The agency reports that school districts have been very proactive communicating to families the plans for providing meals to students, the governor's office said.

Gov. Ned Lamont's latest executive order:

Executive Order 7D Protecti... by Ellyn Santiago on Scribd

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Help for Connecticut small businesses

There's guidance for workers, employers and small businesses.
Small business in the state will be able to to file for economic disaster assistance, including access to low-interest loans, Lamont said.

He submitted a request to the U.S. Small Business Administration asking the federal agency to issue a declaration for Connecticut small business owners to receive disaster loans. Officials hope the measures benefit the business community, which has been distressed amid the global coronavirus pandemic.

State tax authority extends some deadlines

Consistent with the emergency declarations signed by Lamont, the state Department of Revenue Services granted automatic extensions for certain state tax return deadlines as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Effective immediately, the filing deadlines for certain tax returns due on or after March 15 and before June 1 are extended by 30 days. The payments associated with these returns are also extended to the corresponding due date in June.

Out-of-work residents can get health insurance

State Office of Health Strategy Executive Director Vicki Veltri reminded workers who received health insurance through their employer and lost their jobs due to coronavirus or other factors have an option to maintain insurance. If a worker loses minimum coverage or receives COBRA benefits, the worker qualifies year-round for open enrollment through AccessHealthCT, the state’s health insurance marketplace. Find more information at learn.accesshealthct.com/special.

Coronavirus information for residents

For the most up-to-date information from the state on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, residents in the state are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment. The hotline only intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider to seek treatment.

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