Coronavirus CT: Lamont's Order Addresses Schools As Cases Rise

CONNECTICUT — There are 68 confirmed positive cases of the new coronavirus in Connecticut as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday but health officials said that number is irrelevant because the actual number is likely closer to 7,000.

Health officials said Tuesday that we must assume there are 100 people who have the coronavirus for every actual positive test. Health officials and Gov. Ned Lamont said the 68 cases are just the "tip of the iceberg" and the numbers will continue to swell in the coming days, weeks.

This is again why health experts urge folks to remain at home, wash their hands for at least 20 seconds, and to self-quarantine if you exhibit symptoms to help prevent the spread of this virus.

Lamont's 6th Executive Order

Lamont signed another executive order, which deals partly with the public schools, which could remain closed for the foreseeable future.

"As a result of evolving circumstances, this order modifies Executive Order No. 7 to account for the potential impact on schools that may be subject to longer-term cancellation of in-school classes and permits schools, upon reopening in the spring of 2020, to close school on their normally scheduled end-dates, so long as local and regional boards of education provide opportunities for continuity of education to all students to the greatest extend possible consistent with federal and state guidance," the order states, which means schools may not have to remain in session until June 30, 2020 if they are able to offer distance learning programs or other alternatives approved by the state education department. (To stay on top of real-time coronavirus updates in your town and Connecticut sign up for Patch’s free newsletter here.)

The order also allows for the suspension of required fingerprinting availability. The order suspends a state law that requires employees of a municipal police department or the State Police to collect the fingerprints of a person requesting such fingerprinting for a criminal history records check, and permits police department fingerprinting hours to be limited or eliminated to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Barracks will remain open to the general public for other business.

Extension of time period for permits: The order modifies state statutes covering expiration dates for permits, licenses, and other credentials administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and authorizes the agency’s commissioner to extend those dates as he deems necessary in his sole discretion to protect public safety.

Suspension of the requirement that public assistance benefit overpayments be immediately recouped: The order authorizes the Commissioner of Social Services, to the extent permitted by federal law, to temporarily suspend recoupment of non-fraudulent overpayments for public assistance programs for the duration of the pandemic emergency.

In addition, Lamont clarified that the executive order he issued yesterday prohibiting gatherings of 50 people or more does not apply to food banks, mobile food distributors, and farmers’ markets. These activities are considered essential services and not subject to the restrictions in the order.

All 17 CSCU Institutions Move To Online Classes For Rest Of Semester

Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) President Mark Ojakian announced that all 17 CSCU institutions will move to all-online classes for the remainder of the spring 2020 semester. All in-person commencement activities will also be canceled.

"I understand that this is a new direction for faculty and students alike, but it has become clear that the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect our state well beyond April 5," Ojakian wrote. "We must do everything in our power not just to keep our students, faculty, and staff healthy and safe, but also to slow the spread of the virus. To that end, all physical campuses will be closed to the public through at least the remainder of the semester. All faculty and staff except those designated by their individual institution as Level 1 – and that number will be extremely limited – will continue to work from home.

"Unfortunately, this also means that all in-person spring commencement activities will be canceled. I know how hard students and faculty have worked to get to this point, and we are looking at all options to ensure they receive the recognition they deserve in addition to the diploma they have earned."

To Connecticut Residents from Members of the Connecticut Funeral Directors Association (CFDA):

"We continue to operate 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week, and stand ready to help plan personal and meaningful visitations, funerals and memorials, regardless of the individual’s cause of death."

"Per Governor Lamont’s March 16th Executive Order, this includes limiting the number of people to 50 attendees at events – including funeral services and wakes. As mourners leave the building, funeral directors allow new mourners to enter with never more than 50 at a time. Note that the CDC and President Trump have recommended (but not mandated) limiting events to groups of no more than 10 people, and individual funeral homes are choosing to take further preventive actions. We encourage families to work with their local funeral directors to create meaningful and personalized services that are meaningful and safe."

"In addition, we continue to work with regional and local clergy who are establishing their own protocols for officiating at and/or holding funerals within their houses of worship."

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Business Response Unit Created In CT

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) is launching the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit, which will be dedicated to helping businesses in Connecticut navigate the resources available to them during this crisis. Small businesses seeking guidance can reach this unit by calling 860-500-2333.

In addition, DECD and Advance CT, a nonprofit organization that works to advance economic competitiveness in Connecticut, today began distributing a comprehensive survey to businesses to get information on what types of resources they need throughout the duration of this pandemic. This will help the state gather important information on the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses interested in participating in this survey can access it here.

Lamont announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration approved his request to provide disaster relief to Connecticut’s small businesses and nonprofits that are negatively impacted by the pandemic.

Preparing for space needs of hospitals

The Connecticut Hospital Association is working with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and others to prepare for space needs in hospitals. They’re exploring the best ways to restructure space in their facilities in order to accommodate patients safely, as some patients require things like negative pressure rooms. These efforts are in order to ensure that people receive treatment and the spread of COVID-19 is mitigated.

Blood Is Needed

As blood drives have been canceled, Red Cross of Connecticut asks donors to schedule appointments

To mitigate the spread of the virus and reduce gatherings of large groups of people, the American Red Cross has canceled nearly 2,700 blood drives throughout the country. More than 80 percent of the blood the Red Cross collects come from donation drives, and these cancelations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations.

The Red Cross of Connecticut is asking people in the state to consider donating blood by calling ahead to one of their offices and scheduling an appointment that will allow them to encourage safe social distancing while still ensuring blood donations are being received.

Individuals interested in donating blood can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

NEW SPECIAL ENROLLMENT PERIOD FOR UNINSURED CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS

• Uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT during the NEW Special Enrollment Period from Thursday, March 19 - Thursday, April 2, 2020.
• The effective date of coverage for all enrollments during the NEW Special Enrollment Period will be April 1, 2020.
• The only way to sign up for this NEW Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428.
• Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of coverage due to job change or unemployment) or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can ALWAYS enroll online, in-person or over the phone and all help is free.

Office of Early Childhood working to ensure childcare for healthcare staff and first responders

Our communities rely on child care providers to support families, particularly those who play a critical role during this public health emergency. The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is working to make child care available for healthcare staff and first responders in particular. On Monday, OEC posted 37 waivers for child care facilities in order to ensure child care is flexible. The agency is actively working with several hospitals to provide stand-up child care for their workers and hopes to expand this effort.

Families are encouraged to look to trusted friends, neighbors and family members, who are not in a high-risk category - for child care. Anyone in need of child care is encouraged to dial 2-1-1 and they will be directed to resources in their area.

OEC is sending out guidelines today to child care programs and families throughout the state to help ensure everyone remains safe during this period.

Department of Motor Vehicles suspends in-person visits

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is closing all branch offices to the public for the transaction of business effective at the close of business on Tuesday, March 17. Employees will continue to report to their work locations, unless otherwise instructed, and will assist with transactions that are completed online, through the mail, and by interactive voice recognition.

Customers seeking further information should visit www.ctdmv.info for daily status updates.

Attorney General Tong provides update on price gouging complaints

Attorney General William Tong today announced that the Office of the Attorney General has received 71 complaints regarding large price hikes on basic supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and toilet paper since Governor Lamont declared civil preparedness and public health emergencies on March 10.

The office has received reports of 7.5 oz hand sanitizer bottles retailing for more than $25 and 2 oz bottles of hand sanitizer selling for $10 at local gas stations and stores. Consumers have also reported price hikes on basic necessities like toilet paper and disinfectant wipes. In some cases, consumers have reported 30-packs of toilet paper retailing for $39.99 and three-packs of disinfectant wipes selling for nearly $40.

Anyone who suspects price gouging should file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General online at www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint. If consumers are unable to file a complaint online or via email, they can call the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318.

Department of Banking issues guidance to state-chartered banks and credit unions

Facing uncertain financial markets during a quickly-slowing economy, today Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez issued guidance to Connecticut state-chartered financial institutions on ways to provide relief to assist Connecticut consumers and small businesses in response to COVID-19.

The guidance urges Connecticut state-chartered banks and credit unions to work with borrowers consistent with safe and sound banking practices. These efforts can include easing credit terms for new loans, waiving overdraft fees, waiving late fees for loan balances, increasing the number of allowed money market withdrawals, waiving CD early withdrawal penalties, and offering payment accommodations such as allowing borrowers to defer some payments or extending the payment due dates. The department also asks institutions to communicate with their partner companies, like servicers and collection agencies, so consumers and small businesses know all possible accommodations.

Department of Revenue Services suspends in-person visits

The Department of Revenue Services (DRS) is suspending in-person visits from the general public to their offices effective at the close of business on Tuesday, March 17. The agency will continue to provide online service to customers. Information about tax filings and the Taxpayer Service Center can be found on the DRS website at ct.gov/drs. Services are also available via telephone by calling 860-297-5962.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection suspends enforcement of bottle collections, suspends public visits to offices

To help mitigate the spread of the virus, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is suspending its enforcement activities at bottle collection facilities, however it is not requiring that these facilities shut down. This will enable stores the discretion to have more of their staff focused on stocking shelves with needed food and supplies.

DEEP is also suspending in-person visits by members of the public at their main office in Hartford effective immediately.

Department of Social Services suspends in-person visits at all facilities

Department of Social Services (DSS) field offices are now closed to the public as a protective measure for the safety of customers and staff. DSS staff are working and the agency is continuing to provide services.

DSS customers can access benefit and application information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.connect.ct.gov and www.ct.gov/dss/apply. Customers can also call 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632). Full information on ways to contact DSS online, by phone, by mail, and at office dropboxes is at www.ct.gov/dss/fieldoffices.