Coronavirus CT: Fifth Death, 29 New Positive Cases Reported

CONNECTICUT — An additional 29 new positive cases of the new coronavirus were reported in Connecticut since Friday and there was an additional coronavirus-related death, according to Gov. Ned Lamont. Around 43 people are hospitalized, which is an increase of about three people since Friday.

The latest fatal victim of the virus was a man in his 80's who was a nursing home resident in Stafford Springs. He was being treated at Johnson Memorial Hospital.

The state total for positive cases is now 223; Connecticut has performed about 3,100 tests to date. Four of the deaths are in Fairfield County and one is in Tolland County.

Lamont on Friday said that higher numbers aren’t a surprise because the state has greatly expanded its testing capacity; the state is now testing around 1,000 samples a day between public and private labs.

Ridgefield announced six new cases Saturday and Weston and Orange announced their first coronavirus cases.

Fairfield County had 140 cases followed by, Hartford, 35, New Haven, 24, Litchfield, 6, Middlesex, 5, and New London and Windham with one case each.

State Pleads For More Personal Protective Equipment

Lamont reported Saturday that 100 entities have offered personal protection equipment since Friday after launching a plea for the vital equipment. The equipment is used by healthcare workers to limit their exposure to the virus.

UConn Health is ordering staff to reuse N95 respirator masks as state officials work to secure more personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers. (For more information on this and other coronavirus related stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

UConn Health is telling staff to place masks in a paper bag after working with a patient, according to the Hartford Courant. The masks are only to be used by the same healthcare worker on the same patient. They can be reused if a patient tests negative for COVID-19.

All seven members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services urging the department to supply Connecticut hospitals with PPE.

“We understand that there is high demand at this moment for PPE; however, some of Connecticut’s hospitals are only days away from running out of PPE, which would be nothing short of disastrous,” the congressional members wrote. “A shortage of PPE in our state risks our medical personnel becoming infected, sidelined, and maybe even hospitalized themselves, at precisely the moment our communities are most heavily depending on them.”

The Connecticut National Guard is distributing PPE to locations throughout the state.

Lamont urged companies on Friday who have PPE to consider donating it or selling it to Connecticut.

“If there is any company out there that has access to PPE… let us know who you are we’ll buy it if we can...we’ll pay top price,” he said.

The state created a framework for donations of PPE. Members of the public, businesses and other organizations can fill out an online form. United Way 2-1-1 of Connecticut will work with the state Department of Public Health on the donation logistics.

The specific items being requested by the state at this time include:
· N95 Respirators
· Face Masks/Surgical Masks
· Face Shields
· Surgical Gowns
· Gloves (nitrile, or non-latex)
· Thermometers
· Thermometer Covers (if applicable to type of thermometer)
· Hand Sanitizer
· Other Medical Items
Lamont: Stay Home, Stay Safe

Lamont issue a new executive order Friday that will have non-essential employees work from home in the state. It will be in effect from March 23 to April 22. (See: Lamont's 'Stay Safe, Stay Home' Order Explained)

Connecticut along with the rest of the country is already reeling from the sudden economic impact of the coronavirus as businesses close and workers are laid off.

A Bristol Health employee tested positive for coronavirus and is now in self-quarantine at home. Co-workers and patients of the employee are being notified, according to NBC Connecticut. Bristol health started screening people at entrances Saturday morning for high temperatures and other symptoms.