Coronavirus In CT: 2nd Case Confirmed

CONNECTICUT — A second presumptive positive case of coronavirus in Connecticut was reported Monday evening. The state Department of Public Health confirmed the case Monday afternoon, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

More details about the patient will be released once their family is notified, Lamont said. The state lab so far has tested 56 individuals, with 54 negative results. The state lab is capable of completing between 15 and 20 tests per day.

Lamont also announced Monday that LapCorp is operational for coronavirus testing and Quest Diagnostics expects to have testing availability soon. Tests are only available on a physician order.

The state Department of Public Health also issued a directive to all nursing and convalescent homes to restrict visitations to contain the spread of the virus. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to complications from the disease.

The state Legislative Office Building will be closed to non-legislative visitors, events, tours and other gatherings. Legislators will have a shortened day Wednesday with only two hearings scheduled, according to WTNH. The state Capitol building will be closed Thursday and Friday for deep cleaning.

The state received a second test kit which will allow testing of up to 600 samples for coronavirus.

Connecticut had its first confirmed presumptive positive case of the new coronavirus disease Sunday. A Wilton resident between the ages of 40 and 50 is being treated at Danbury Hospital, Lamont said. The person likely was infected during a trip to California. (Don't miss updates in Connecticut concerning the Coronavirus as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.)

A New York State resident who is an employee at Danbury Hospital also tested positive for the disease as well as a community physician from New York who made rounds at Bridgeport Hospital.

Connecticut coronavirus updates:

• Coronavirus CT: Updates On School And State Response (3-9-2020)
• Coronavirus CT: Schools Need To Plan For Possible Closures
• Coronavirus CT: Lamont Gives Update, Limits State Employee Travel

Lamont announced Monday that most state employees are prohibited from traveling out of state for business. Large gatherings for meetings are also being evaluated for possible cancellation or postponement.

More than 600 confirmed cases of coronavirus were confirmed in the United States as of Monday afternoon and 22 people have died, according to John Hopkins University, which is monitoring data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other sources.

Coronavirus information for Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including guidance and other resources, all residents in the state are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 2-1-1 for assistance. The information line is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access for those with a hearing impairment. The hotline is only intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider to seek treatment.

Between Friday and Monday, the 2-1-1 information line took 252 phone calls from residents.