Coronavirus CT: Updated Town Numbers, 'Essential' Business Update

CONNECTICUT — Good Monday everyone. For many students and teachers across the state online distance learning programs begin today as schools remain closed due to the new coronavirus.

School will remain closed through this week and then its expected that state officials will make an announcement about the future of schools for April.

Snow Details And Then Heavy Rain

Light snow began falling this morning across the state. A light accumulation of snow is possible before the snow changes to a heavy rain later this afternoon and more than an inch of rain is forecast before it ends Tuesday morning. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for Litchfield County.

NBC Connecticut Chief Meteorologist Ryan Hanrahan said on Twitter, "We're watching for a heavy thump of snow later today - especially late this afternoon. While the hills are most at risk for a few inches I can't rule out a quick 1"-2" in lower elevations."

No accumulation is expected at the immediate coast, according to the National Weather Service, but an inch or two of snow is possible in inland sections of southern Connecticut and between one and three inches of snow in northern sections of the state.

Coronavirus and CT Updates

And there was a lot of news concerning Connecticut and the coronavirus from over the weekend. The total number of cases in the state since the inception of the pandemic has reached 327 and eight people have died. (CT Coronavirus: 8 Deaths, 327 Total Positive Cases).

Gov. Ned Lamont's "Stay Safe, Stay Home," executive order mandates that all non-essential businesses close by 8 p.m. Monday and remain closed until at least April 22. (Coronavirus CT: 'Essential' Businesses Defined In Lamont's Order).

Businesses that are already closed in Connecticut include: restaurants and bars, movie theaters, malls, casinos, bowling alleys, gyms, all places of public amusement, nail salons, barber shops, hair salons, and other cosmetology services. Restaurants are allowed to offer takeout and delivery.

You can read the full list of essential businesses that are allowed to remain open past today here. But two that have garnered a lot of attention is that liquor stores and gun stores both made the list and are considered "essential" businesses.

Latest Town-By-Town Numbers From State Of CT

Westport, 62, Greenwich, 31, Stamford, 25, Norwalk, 17, Hartford, 11, Ridgefield, 9, Bridgeport, Darien, 8, Danbury, 8, Fairfield, 7, Rocky Hill, 7, Stafford, 7, New Haven, 7, Wilton, 7, Brookfield, 6, West Haven, 6, New Canaan, 5, Glastonbury, 4, Manchester, 4, Newington, 4, Tolland, 4, Bethlehem, 3, New Fairfield, 3, Weston, 3, Waterbury, 3, Stratford, 3, Southington, 3.

Towns reporting two cases: Berlin, Bethel, Farmington, Guilford, Litchfield, Milford, New Britain, New Milford, South Windsor, Southbury, Suffield, Thomaston, Windsor Locks, Windsor.

Towns reporting one case: Ansonia, Avon, Beacon Falls, Bolton, Burlington, Clinton, East Hampton, East Hartford, East Lyme, Easton, Enfield, Haddam, Hamden, Killingworth, Madison, Mansfield, Meriden, Middletown, Montville, Newtown, Norwich, Oxford, Plainville, Portland, Sharon, Shelton, Torrington, Vernon, West Hartford, Wethersfield, Woodbridge, Woodbury, and Woodstock. (To sign up for free, local breaking news alerts from more than 100 Connecticut communities, click here.)

These are official numbers as reported by the state health department, though it is possible that they differ somewhat from what your local health department is reporting.

See related: Coronavirus CT: 'Essential' Businesses Defined In Lamont's Order

CT Coronavirus: 8 Deaths, 327 Positive Cases

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Gov. Ned Lamont's Letter To All State Agency Employees Late Sunday

In the letter Lamont writes, "As with all state governments, the majority of our work is essential and must continue. Our state troopers, corrections officers, and the civilians that support them provide critical services that protect public safety.

"Thousands of you provide direct care to people with intellectual disabilities, mental health and addiction challenges who count on your support every day. You ensure our transportation systems continue to operate, enabling healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store, and pharmacy workers and many others are able to get to work.

"With children out of school, you play an even more important role to ensure they are safe. And as tens of thousands of Connecticut residents have lost their jobs, many of you are providing critical services processing unemployment compensation claims and ensuring people maintain healthcare coverage during this difficult time. You are truly heroes to me and the people of Connecticut."

"However, there is more work that we do that can and must be moved to work at home or paused for now to support our social distancing efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19. Because our agencies are so different in their missions and operations, these actions will be determined by your respective agency's leadership team.

"We know that these actions will result in some of you continuing to work in challenging circumstances while others are sent home, and that some at home will continue to telework while for some others that will not be possible. It is not a time where everyone can be treated equally and we ask for your patience, support, and understanding in that regard.

"If you are among the employees whose managers determine do not have the ability to continue your state work, please find other ways to serve our citizens. For example, you can "adopt" a senior citizen in your neighborhood and do their shopping for them, or volunteer at a local food bank where volunteer levels are down and need is up. You can watch the children of a friend who is a hospital worker or first responder, ensuring they can be on the front lines of fighting this disease. These small efforts matter, and if you are willing and able, please help.

"I know that many of you share my deep commitment to public service and recognize that one of the primary reasons government exists is to be there for people in time of crisis. This means rising above any differences in how we are treated in these extraordinary times and staying focused on people in need, such as those who have lost their jobs, the small businesses owners battling to stay afloat, the nurses, doctors, and first responders on the front lines battling COVID-19, and on how we can each use our talents and time to serve the people of our great state."