Coronavirus: FEMA Approves CT Request For Disaster Declaration

CONNECTICUT— An hour before his tour of Guilford's Bio-Med Devices, the company producing desperately needed ventilators, Gov. Ned Lamont announced he was notified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency that his request for a Major Disaster Declaration for the State of Connecticut in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has been approved, unlocking additional federal assistance programs for the state.

According to FEMA's website, the request was approved Saturday.

Connecticut joins a long list of states and territories where disasters have been declared, including Massachusetts, Missouri, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey, North Carolina, Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and Guam.

As of Saturday, the number of new positive coronavirus cases was 1,524, which was a 225 increase over the previous 24 hours. The number of total deaths rose to 33 on Saturday, which is an increase of six over the past day and the number of hospitalizations also increased by 32 to 205. Of the 33 reported deaths, 20 are in Fairfield County, six in New Haven County, four in Tolland County, two in Hartford County and one in Middlesex County.

Lamont said that the approval is for public assistance, meaning that impacted state agencies and municipalities in all eight counties will be reimbursed for 75 percent of the costs associated with their response and emergency protective measures.

According to FEMA, the disaster declaration includes federal dollars for public assistance "for communities to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters or emergencies." It approves emergency work that "must be performed to reduce or eliminate an immediate threat to life, protect public health and safety, and to protect improved property that is significantly threatened."

Lamont said he's "grateful that the federal government is recognizing the severity of this pandemic in Connecticut and the impact it is having on the health and safety of the people of our state. It is an important step in providing critical aid in our communities."

Lamont's other request for disaster assistance, including individual assistance that could provide Connecticut residents with a number of critical benefits, such as expanded unemployment assistance, food benefits, funeral benefits and child care assistance, remains under review by the White House.

Lamont said he's "hopeful that our request for assistance for individuals will also be approved because this pandemic has had a significant impact on the livelihoods of so many people in Connecticut. Thousands of workers and families are badly hurting. Unlocking this assistance would mean expanded unemployment benefits for those who are out of work because of the emergency, needed food benefits, child care assistance, and a host of other critically important aid.

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Lamont called the funding "imperative to protecting the health and safety of the people of our state and further limiting the spread of this disease."

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