Coronavirus CT: Lamont Says Fairfield County Needs Ventilators

HARTFORD, CT — Gov. Ned Lamont appeared on The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer on CNN Tuesday night to say that the drastic amount of coronavirus cases in New York City is having a spillover effect in Fairfield County.

“New York City does need ventilators... but so does Fairfield County,” he said. “It doesn't work if you put out the fire in New York but you still have it blazing in Fairfield County where our infection rate is through the roof."

Connecticut overall has 618 confirmed coronavirus cases as of Tuesday; Fairfield County has 384 cases, which is about 60 percent of the state’s total. Hartford and New Haven counties are also experiencing a growth in cases in recent days.

New York City has nearly 16,000 coronavirus cases, according to John Hopkins University, which is tracking cases globally.

Lamont also said the state’s primary need now is personal protective equipment for health care workers and first responders as the state deals with a shortage and workers are forced to reuse items made for single use.

The state has been receiving some PPE donations and has purchased items from global vendors, but it will still be dependent on the federal government to get the supplies that they need, Lamont said at a Tuesday news conference. (For more information on this and other coronavirus related stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts.)

He also called on the White House to not downplay the coronavirus issue.

“It is escalating, it is growing and I’m afraid the White House has been underestimating and downplaying this virus for too long,” Lamont said. “Maybe it’s time for the business community to stand up on whether they think it’s realistic to go back to business as usual by Easter…”

Lamont recently signed an executive order that extended school closures through at least April 20. He recently speculated during a CBS Radio interview that schools may be closed until the fall. He has also closed non-essential businesses.