Latest Connecticut Coronavirus Updates

CONNECTICUT — The latest confirmed numbers of the new coronavirus in Connecticut are 34 deaths, 1,993 positive cases and 404 hospitalizations.

The state saw its largest increase Sunday, when 469 new cases were reported. The figures may be shocking but state health officials have cautioned that cases will continue to rise until at least mid-April and part of it is because the opportunity to get tested keeps expanding.

When examining the numbers a few things stand out. Ridgefield and Norwalk account for 12 of the 34 deaths in the state. (Death Toll Now 7 in Ridgefield) (5th Death Recorded; New Orders Issued in Norwalk)

In Norwalk, Mayor Harry Rilling issued three "critical emergency orders" on Sunday to further fight the spread of the virus. The town has 226 positive cases, the most in the state. Among the orders are a ban on drivers at parks and beaches, a 50 percent reduction in occupancy at businesses, and only one family member at a time is allowed to shop.

"I've asked nicely and implored the public to practice physical distancing and to treat this public health crisis seriously," Rilling said. "Unfortunately, many in our community are taking this too lightly. In the last 24 hours, we've had a 60 percent increase in cases and we now have over 200 positive cases. Extreme measures are necessary. These are drastic measures, but it is the only way we can slow this pandemic. Our health care system is going to be overloaded and that means more people getting sick and more people dying – not just from coronavirus, but from heart attacks, strokes, and other serious medical issues that require attention."

In Ridgefield, six residents of Ridgefield Crossings have died from the virus. On Sunday, they were the fifth and sixth deaths of residents of the Benchmark Senior Living facility, which remains under lockdown. The first death at the facility was also the first in the state from COVID-19.

Most and least cases across Connecticut

Towns reporting the most cases in Connecticut are: Norwalk at 226, Danbury at 182, Stamford at 126, Westport at 114, Greenwich at 93, and Ridgefield at 69. (Coronavirus CT Updates: Town By Town Numbers)

And these are towns in Connecticut still with no confirmed cases: Andover, Ashford, Barkhamsted, Bethany, Bozrah, Brooklyn, Canaan, Canterbury, Chaplin, Chester, Colebrook, East Windsor, Goshen, Granby, Griswold, Hampton, Hartland, Mansfield, Middlefield, North Canaan, North Stonington, Plainfield, Pomfret, Preston, Putnam, Salem, Scotland, Somers, Sprague, Sterling, Union, Warren, Waterford, and Windham.

Travel advisory not a ‘quarantine’

If you missed it this weekend, President Trump opined about enforcing a two-week quarantine on Connecticut, New York and New Jersey as a way to slow down the spread of the virus. But after the state’s three governors pleaded with the White House not to adopt such strict measures Trump relented and instead had the CDC implement a travel advisory for all three states.

• CT Coronavirus: Trump Says Quarantine Not Needed, Advisory Issued
• CT Coronavirus: CDC, President Trump's Travel Advisory Explained

Some amazing community stories

We all know these are not normal or easy times but there are some inspirational stories along the way.

In Enfield, staff from Prudence Crandall Elementary School took to the streets in a motorcade to drive by the homes of their students to see the smiling faces of the students they’ve been missing. It’s quite a sight to see. (Teachers and Staff See Their Students By Motorcade: VIDEO)

Students at a school in Connecticut also tried to help emergency responders by donating masks that are greatly needed. (Schools Donate 1,000 Masks To Aid Coronavirus Shortage)

And a local eatery is offering free food to help others in need. (Eatery Holding 2 More Free Meal Events Amid Coronavirus)

And other heartwarming stories:

• Geno Auriemma's Restaurant Cooking For Coronavirus Front-Liners
• Child, 5, Receives A Special Birthday Celebration
• Man Plays Window Tic-Tac-Toe With 92-Year-Old Grandmother

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