LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates: May 11 to 17

News and links on the COVID-19 pandemic for Darien:

LATEST UPDATES: Governor’s Sunday COVID-19 briefing || Governor’s Saturday COVID-19 briefing || State to distribute 50,000 thermometers to small businesses, nonprofits, places of worship

See also:

LATEST DARIEN COVID-19 NEWS: Continual Updates:

May 3 to 10 || April 27 to May 3 || April 20 to 26 || April 13 to 19 || April 5 to 12 || March 30 to April 5

SUNDAY State Statistics on COVID-19 Cases in Lower Fairfield County

Sunday, May 10 — As of 8:30 p.m., Saturday (and reported publicly by the state on Sunday), 198 Darienites were identified with COVID-19, three more than the 195 reported by the state on Tuesday, May 12, according to information released by state authorities. (Reminders: Many people are thought to have the COVID-19 virus who aren’t identified; the state says “all figures are preliminary and subject to change.”)

Here’s the number of identified cases in nearby communities, according to the state government Web page for this day’s Coronavirus statistics:

Stamford — 3,020 cases (74 more than the  2,946 reported on Tuesday)
Norwalk — 1,886 (110 more than the 1,776 reported on Tuesday)
New Canaan — 163 (five more than the 158 reported on Tuesday)
Greenwich — 751 (30 more than the 721 reported on Tuesday)
Westport — 267 (four more than the 263 reported on Tuesday)
Wilton — 200 (eight more than the 192 reported on Tuesday)
Weston — 62 (an adjustment downward of one from the 63 reported on Tuesday)
Ridgefield — 195 (three more than the 192 reported on Tuesday)
Fairfield — 527 (41 more than the 486 reported on Tuesday)
Bridgeport — 2,831 (275 more than the 2,556 reported on Tuesday)

TEN WORST HIT CONNECTICUT MUNICIPALITIES (with total cases): 1. Stamford (3,020), 2. Bridgeport (2,831), 3. New Haven (2,182), 4. Norwalk (1,886), 5. Hartford (1,885), 6. Waterbury (1,649), 7. Danbury (1,585) 8. West Haven (946), 9. Hamden (859), 10. New Britain (766).

SUNDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Sunday, May 17 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 1 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

SATURDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Saturday, May 15 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

State partners with UnitedHealth Group, United Way 211, and DoorDash to pilot a free meal delivery service for higher risk populations

The State of Connecticut is partnering with UnitedHealth Group, United Way 211, and DoorDash to pilot a free meal delivery service for higher risk populations, which is beginning in the Greater Hartford area. Individuals, many of whom are homebound seniors located in Hartford, Bloomfield, Wethersfield, and surrounding areas, were identified by the Connecticut Department of Social Services, the Connecticut Association of Resident Service Coordinators, and municipal social services. Each meal is being prepared and donated by UnitedHealth Group, and the delivery is being provided through a partnership between United Way 211 and DoorDash. The pilot is anticipated to run through June 5.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

State to Give 50,000 Infrared Thermometers to Small Businesses, Nonprofits, Places of Worship

Friday, May 15 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut will be distributing 50,000 infrared thermometers it has secured for small businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship to support safe reopening activities amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Small businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship that would like to request equipment from the state’s supply of infrared thermometers should fill out a form online to indicate their request.

The state has partnered with the Connecticut Business and Industry Association and its affiliate CONNSTEP to distribute the thermometers.

They will be delivered to the municipalities in which the organizations are located, and then the municipalities will contact the recipient entities to inform them of a time and location they can pick up their requested equipment.

“We’ve secured these infrared thermometers for our businesses, nonprofits, and places of worship because having adequate screening measures is an important step in keeping people safe,” Lamont said.

Entities that would like to request a thermometer can fill out the forms located at ct.gov/coronavirus in the “Access to Personal Protective Equipment” section, or through the links provided below:

• Small businesses: Any small business in the state that has between 2 and 100 employees are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. Eligible businesses seeking to request thermometers should click here.
• Nonprofits: Nonprofits located within Connecticut are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for nonprofits, click here. Social services and direct care nonprofits may request a thermometer through the process outlined in this memo.
• Places of worship: Places of worship are eligible to receive one thermometer per physical address. To request thermometers for places of worship, click here.

This distribution will continue while supplies last.

Governor: State Beaches to Open Starting Memorial Day Weekend

Friday, May 15 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that Connecticut state parks that feature beaches along the state’s shoreline will be open Friday, May 22, though with capacity limitations. Visitors are advised to follow social distancing guidelines.

Earlier today, Lamont, along with the governors of New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, announced a multi-state agreement to open beaches in their respective states effective May 22. Connecticut’s shoreline state park beaches were never closed, and have remained open with capacity restrictions, which will remain in place.

“Our beaches are some of our most beautiful and treasured assets,” Lamont said. “We want to make sure they are enjoyed up and down the east coast in the safest possible way, especially as the summer season begins. Working together as states to make sure they can be enjoyed responsibly makes sense.”

Residents are encouraged to select locations closest to home, and consider visiting early in the morning before crowds gather. At least six feet of social distancing must be maintained, and groups over five are prohibited.

Residents should recreate with members of their immediate household and not meet up with others. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will reduce parking capacity and close beaches for the day if social distancing cannot be maintained, and will make adjustments to operations and consider longer-term closures the situation warrants. Updates on closures are posted on the Connecticut State Parks’ Twitter account, @CTStateParks.

“I want to thank our DEEP staff for their work to maintain access to these special places for the public,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “I am asking the public to plan ahead and practice social distancing so that we can continue to keep these places open going forward.”

Connecticut municipalities continue to make decisions regarding the local beaches and swimming areas they oversee. DEEP will publish a detailed operations plan early next week that municipalities may adapt to their needs, which will be published online at www.ct.gov/DEEP/Parks. Recommendations to promote safe enjoyment of beaches include:

• No public gatherings or groups of over five
• Face coverings worn when in proximity to others
• Set parking capacity limits at each beach based on observations of levels needed to maintain social distancing
• Daily closures when social distancing cannot be maintained
• Use of social media and other communications to inform the public when capacity is restricted so they can plan to go elsewhere
• Spacing of 15 feet or more between beach blankets

• Currently, the Connecticut Department of Public Health and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advise that there is no current evidence of COVID-19 transmission through recreational freshwater or saltwater swimming.

FRIDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Friday, May 15 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

First wave of donated laptops for high schools begin arriving slightly ahead of schedule, distribution will start next week

The co-chairs of the Governor’s COVID-19 Learn From Home Task Force, Superintendents Paul Freeman and Nate Quesnel, today announced that the first wave of Dell laptops that are being donated to Connecticut high schools by the Partnership for Connecticut are arriving slightly ahead of schedule and will begin to be distributed to districts starting next week.

The Partnership is donating 60,000 laptops in total. Due to the large global demand for the products, they are expected to arrive in Connecticut in three waves and will be distributed on a formula-based approach that prioritizes equity, student need, and safe distribution. The first wave will consist of 17,000 laptops in total, which will be delivered to New Britain on May 18, followed by Bloomfield, Bridgeport, Danbury, East Hartford, Hamden, and Hartford throughout the week. Dell is in direct contact with the districts’ IT directors to coordinate delivery and logistics. A total of 19 districts are expected to receive the products, the remainder of which are in the process of being manufactured and will arrive ready for immediate use.

In addition to the laptops, the Nooyi family donated more than 185,000 high-qualify Scholastic packs of books for Connecticut prekindergarten to eighth grade students. Delivery of those books began on May 4 in Bridgeport, Hartford, and Bristol, and have continued arriving in Alliance Districts throughout this week.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

THURSDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Thursday, May 14 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 14, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Updated list of nursing homes and assisted living facilities with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19

The following documents are updated lists of every nursing home and assisted living facility in Connecticut with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, along with corresponding data regarding the number of related fatalities among residents in each facility. The data was reported to the state by each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These lists are updated on a weekly basis.

Governor Lamont signs 42^nd executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 42^nd since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7OO enacts the following provisions:

• Procedures for local appointments and elections requiring in-person vote

**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7OO

Companies required to self-certify prior to reopening on May 20

Connecticut businesses eligible to open on or soon after May 20 are required to self-certify to demonstrate they understand and will comply with COVID-19 rules and regulations set by the state. The self-certification process is quick and available online at business.ct.gov/recovery.

Businesses under Phase 1 of Connecticut reopening plans include:

• Restaurants (outdoor dining only)
• Hair salons and barbershops
• Offices
• Retail and malls
• Museums and zoos

Sector rules for reopening a business were published on May 9.

Upon completion of the certification process, companies are encouraged to download a safety signage and badge for display at their place of business and/or on their website. Utilization of the materials is strictly voluntary.

“DECD and the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group are working closely with businesses and community groups from around the state to ensure that businesses have the best possible information and access to resources to reopen safely and efficiently over the coming weeks,” Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner David Lehman said. “Businesses want to take all the precautions necessary to protect their employees and their customers and we want to ensure they have access to all the support that is available.”

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

Governor: CT to Get $111 Million in COVID-19 Relief Aid for Schools

Thursday, May 14 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut is receiving $111 million in federal coronavirus relief aid for the state’s school districts that will be used to support continued learning and address educational disruptions due to the global pandemic.

The funding was awarded by the U.S. Department of Education under the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund (ESSERF) of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Security (CARES) Act that was adopted by Congress in March. It will complement the $27.8 million already announced for the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund. ESSERF is the main federal funding stream dedicated to supporting the state’s pre-K through 12 system during the COVID-19 crisis. The federal government allows for significant flexibility in how the state and local school districts spend the grant so that existing education funds can be repurposed to areas of highest need, mitigate fiscal impacts, and immediately address educational disruptions.

Governor Lamont said that school districts in Connecticut have already received their full state education grant allocations for FY20, despite the cancellation of in-person classes for the remainder of the 2019-2020 academic year.

“This global pandemic is causing unprecedented consequences that we have never experienced in our lifetimes, and our school systems have been forced to respond in creative ways,” Lamont said.

“I applaud our many teachers and educational staff who have been working through this trying time to provide distance learning and continue engaging our students. Our administration is determined to work with school districts to ensure that we can maintain these efforts and every student has access to the educational opportunities that they deserve. I thank our Congressional delegation for securing these federal funds to support this effort.”

While Connecticut was awarded a total of $111 million under EESERF, $11.1 million will be reserved for state-level activities, and the balance of $99.9 million will be distributed to local school districts based on the proportion of Title I funding they received for fiscal year 2020.

The CARES Act requires public school districts that receive ESSERF or Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds to provide equitable services to students and teachers in non-public schools in the same manner as equitable services are provided in Title I, Part A of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).

Control of funds for services and assistance provided to non-public school students and teachers under the CARES Act programs must remain under the control of the public school district that receives the funding.

Similar to how a public school district provides equitable services under the ESEA, the district is responsible for initiating the consultation process and must contact officials in all non-public schools within the respective district to notify them of the opportunity for their students and teachers to obtain equitable services under the CARES Act programs.

Therefore, no funds may go directly to a non-public school and non-public schools must consult with the local public school district in which they are located to determine allocation and receipt of the funds.

The Connecticut State Department of Education is in the process of developing an application process for school districts, which will include specific questions pertaining to how the district determined which areas of need to focus on, which strategies they anticipate utilizing, and how remote learning will be part of their solution.

In an effort to expedite the allocation of funds, the department plans on providing ongoing technical assistance to districts with a particular focus on those with the greatest needs. Regular feedback from districts will be expected as they solidify the strategies they plan to use to address student learning gaps, provide universal access to high-quality remote learning, and safely reopen schools.

State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona is sending a letter to every superintendent in the state with information about the funds.

“While ensuring equity and access to education has always been our top priority, this pandemic has exacerbated the opportunity gaps that have always persisted for our most vulnerable students, such as students with special needs and English learners,” Cardona said.

“Now more than ever, we remain committed to breaking down the barriers that result in a lack of equitable access to technology, connectivity, and high quality learning materials. We acknowledge districts are expending considerable resources as they navigate these uncharted waters. The department has developed an expedited process to allocate this federal grant as the funding will be critical to bolstering districts’ efforts to meet the areas of greatest need within their school communities and continue providing education to all students in a way that is accessible, equitable and meaningful.”

The federal funding will complement state resources intended to sustain local school districts’ capacity and their efforts to provide equitable access to high quality opportunities for continuity of education for all students. The State Department of Education has provided all districts with guidance around four statewide priorities:

1. Ensuring that all students have access to appropriate technology and connectivity;
2. Access to high quality curriculum that addresses the needs of all learners including students with disabilities;
3. Addressing student learning gaps and safely reopening schools; and
4. Social and emotional supports for educators and students as they transition back to school.

Districts may use funds for any activity authorized under the major federal grant categories including the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act, the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, or the McKinney-Vento Homeless Education Assistance Act.

Under ESSERF, types of eligible activities include:

• Planning for and coordination between schools and families during long-term closures;
• Purchasing educational and assistive technology (e.g. hardware, software, and connectivity);
• Providing mental health services and supports; and
• Planning and implementing activities related to summer learning, supplemental after-school programs and addressing the needs of low-income students, students with disabilities, English learners, migrant students, students experiencing homelessness, and children in foster care.

CVS Opens 12 Drive-Thru COVID-19 Test Sites, But None Near Darien

Thursday, May 14 — A dozen new drive-thru COVID-19 test sites are opening soon outside CVS stores in Connecticut, but in Fairfield County, where the pandemic has hit hardest in the state, the only sites are in Stratford (at the eastern edge of the county) and Bethel, at the county’s far northern end. Darien already has a testing site, although it’s not open most days.

Some of the new test sites are near communities that have large numbers of people with COVID-19 already: Stratford, for instance, is next to Bridgeport, where the second-largest number of COVID-19 cases have been found, and Bethel is next to Danbury. Two testing sites are in Hartford, which has been hit hard, and others nearby. Local and state governments have arranged for other testing sites.

CVS, based in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, announced Thursday that it’s opening 50 sites soon in Connecticut and four other states across the country and plans to have 1,000 sites open across the country by the end of this month.

Here’s an announcement about the new test sites from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont is applauding an announcement made today by CVS Health that the company is opening 12 new COVID-19 test sites at select CVS Pharmacy drive-thru locations in Connecticut.

“Increasing the amount of testing that’s being done and expanding the accessibility of that testing to all communities is a critical component of our efforts to keep Connecticut safe and healthy,” Lamont said.

“I am grateful to our partners at CVS Health for their commitment to expanding testing in Connecticut. Public-private partnerships like this will only strengthen our state in the fight against COVID-19.”

“While the large-scale test sites we’ve been operating since early April have proven successful, this new approach allows us to utilize our presence in communities across the country and bring testing closer to home,” said Larry J. Merlo, president and CEO of CVS Health.

“Our frontline employees will continue to play a critical role in the testing process, with members of their communities directly benefitting from their dedication and selflessness,” he said.

These new sites will utilize self-swab tests and will be available to individuals meeting Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria, in addition to age guidelines.

Patients must register in advance at CVS.com beginning Friday, May 15 to schedule an appointment. Patients will be required to stay in their cars and directed to the pharmacy drive-thru window where they will be provided with a test kit and given instructions; a CVS Pharmacy team member will observe the self-swab process to ensure it is done properly.

Tests will be sent to an independent, third-party lab for processing and the results will be available in approximately three days.

Testing will not take place inside any retail locations. CVS Pharmacy, HealthHUB and MinuteClinic will continue to serve customers and patients.

The new testing sites in Connecticut include:

• CVS Pharmacy, 7 Durant Avenue, Bethel
• CVS Pharmacy, 905 South Main Street, Cheshire
• CVS Pharmacy, 3514 Main Street, Coventry
• CVS Pharmacy, 54 East High Street, East Hampton
• CVS Pharmacy, 875 Enfield Street, Enfield
• CVS Pharmacy, 2639 Main Street, Glastonbury
• CVS Pharmacy, 1057 Boston Post Road, Guilford
• CVS Pharmacy, 479 Blue Hills Avenue, Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 150 Washington Street, Hartford
• CVS Pharmacy, 323 Cromwell Avenue, Rocky Hill
• CVS Pharmacy, 525 Buckland Street, South Windsor
• CVS Pharmacy, 1 Hawley Lane, Stratford

WEDNESDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Wednesday, May 12 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 13, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 41^st executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 41^st since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7NN enacts the following provisions:

• Waiver of statutory vote on supplemental federal block grant
• Remote participation in member meetings
• Waiver of certain regulatory limitations on the amount of support that can be provided to caregiver relatives
• Technical modification of grace period for April and May rent
• Authorization for OPM to direct DSS to provide Coronavirus Relief Fund distributions to nursing home facilities
• Authorization for OPM to direct DSS to provide Coronavirus Relief Fund distributions to COVID recovery facilities and alternate COVID recovery facilities
• Authorization for additional COVID-19 related hardship relief funding under the Coronavirus Relief Fund to nursing home facilities
• Coronavirus Relief Fund distribution determinations not subject to rehearing or appeal
• Extension and sunset of suspension of tax on single-use plastic checkout bags

Flyover salute to Connecticut’s health care workers on Thursday, May 14

To salute Connecticut’s health care workers for the service they are providing during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Air National Guard will conduct Operation American Resolve on Thursday, May 14. This includes the flyover of the Guard’s C-130H aircraft over hospitals and other health care facilities throughout the state.

“Defending the homeland has taken a new shape, and the Connecticut National Guard is proud to serve alongside the first responders and essential personnel in the COVID-19 response efforts,” Major General Francis Evon, Adjutant General of the Connecticut National Guard, said. “This is our way of showing appreciation to the thousands of heroes at the front line battling COVID-19. We are humbled by their sacrifices.”

“There are so many front line workers across Connecticut providing care for people who have been impacted by the pandemic, and this is our way of saluting them and saying thank you,” Governor Lamont said. “They are true heroes, and the amount of good they are providing for our state is immeasurable.”

Connecticut residents are recommended to observe the flyover from the safety of their home, maintain social distancing, and avoid large gatherings in accordance with local health officials.

The C-130H aircraft is expected to be overhead within plus or minus five minutes of the times listed below, which are an estimate and subject to change:

• Torrington 11:08 a.m.
• Sharon 11:13 a.m.
• Waterbury 11:21 a.m. and 12:15 p.m.
• Danbury 11:27 a.m.
• Greenwich 11:34 a.m.
• Stamford 11:36 a.m.
• Norwalk 11:37 a.m.
• New Canaan 11:39 a.m.
• Bridgeport 11:43 a.m. and 12:09 p.m.
• New Haven 11:48 a.m.
• Derby 11:50 a.m.
• Wallingford 11:55 a.m.
• Meriden 11:57 a.m.
• Hartford 12:08 p.m.
• Farmington 12:18 p.m.
• New Britain 12:19 p.m.
• Bristol 12:20 p.m.
• Manchester 12:23 p.m.
• Vernon 12:24 p.m.
• Middletown 12:25 p.m.
• New London 12:32 p.m.
• Norwich 12:36 p.m.
• Windham 12:40 p.m.
• Putnam 12:45 p.m.
• Stafford Springs 12:51 p.m.
• Enfield 12:56 p.m.

Office of Early Childhood launches CTCARES for Family Child Care

The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood today announced that it has launched “CTCARES for Family Child Care” to provide support to licensed family child care providers during the COVID-19 public health emergency and beyond. The initiative is made possible with approximately $830,000 in support from nonprofit organizations, including the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, 4-CT, and other philanthropic groups – and financial support continues to grow.

CTCARES for Family Child Care connects licensed family child care providers with a Family Child Care Network to provide grant funding and other supports to help small, home-based providers keep their business running during this challenging time. Licensed family child care plays a critical role in Connecticut’s economy by providing needed child care so parents can go to work to financially support their family. During the COVID-19 emergency, 61 percent of family child care programs continue to support essential workers.

“Since the start, our state has viewed access to child care as a top priority for health care workers and other frontline workers,” Governor Lamont said. “I’m proud to see yet another effort to support these programs. When parents know their children are cared for, they can focus on doing the job they need to do to save lives.”

“The Office of Early Childhood is grateful to the Connecticut Early Childhood Funder Collaborative and 4-CT for their support of this initiative,” Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye said. “Family child care providers have continued to support families and children during this public health emergency. This generous gift will bring them much needed supports and sets up a framework to support the family child care industry beyond the pandemic.”

The initiative offers the following services:

1. Connecting to a Family Child Care Network: Family Child Care Networks are community entities with expertise working with family child care providers. They offer ongoing support services and resources, which may include professional development, coaching and consultation, business development training, and administrative support to increase the quality and sustainability of the family child care business. Current Networks are All Our Kin, CERCLE, EdAdvance, TEAM, Inc., and the United Way of Western Connecticut, all supported in part or whole by the OEC and private philanthropy. CTCARES for Family Child Care funding will support up to six additional Family Child Care Networks across the state.
2. Phone consultations with behavioral health experts: The Early Childhood Consultation Partnership (ECCP) will provide telephone and/or online opportunities to answer questions regarding social-emotional and behavioral concerns for children ages 0-5. ECCP can also help providers with managing self-care and dealing with stress.
3. Access to health consultation: The Connecticut Nurses Association will deliver webinars on health and safety topics related to the COVID-19 emergency in both English and Spanish.
4. Access to the Connecticut “Talk It Out Help” Line: A dedicated line for parents and caregivers offers help with the stress and increased needs resulting from caring for children during the COVID-19 emergency.
5. Grants to support operational expenses: Providers who choose to participate with one of the Family Child Care Networks will be eligible to apply for funding to support maintaining smaller group sizes, purchasing additional program supplies, and paying for expenses to enable the program to remain open.

“This initiative is another example of state government and philanthropy combining their knowledge and funding to address the critical issue of maintaining child care. It also recognizes family child care centers as essential business enterprises that need to be supported now and going forward,” Carol O’Donnell, Early Childhood Funder Collaborative Executive Director said.

“Providing safe child care to help parents who are hard at work in our state is an essential part of reopening Connecticut,” Ted Yang, co-founder and COO of 4-CT, said. “4-CT is proud to support the CTCARES effort as we continue to deliver on our mission of providing relief to those affected by COVID-19.”

CTCARES is supported by: 4-CT, CT Early Childhood Funder Collaborative, American Savings Foundation, Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Connecticut Community Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Grossman Family Foundation, Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, United Way of Western Connecticut, and Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Several other philanthropic entities are finalizing approvals to support CTCARES for Family Child Care.

Information on CTCARES for Family Child Care can be found online at www.ctoec.org/covid-19/ctcares-for-family-child-care.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

Noroton Fire Department Cancels Annual Block Party

Wednesday, May 13 — Noroton Fire Department is sad to report, we will not be hosting our Annual Block Party/Bingo and Boat Raffle this year.

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns and the unknown future of social distancing, we did not feel it would be appropriate to host a large gathering. We genuinely want to thank all of our supporters as we will continue to volunteer to serve our community. If you are interested in donating to, or joining, Noroton FD please feel free to visit our website.

The Block Party/Bingo & Raffle is our largest fundraiser each year. We rely on these donations to support our need for equipment and training to continue to provide exceptional service to the Town of Darien.

Stay vigilant Darien, we will get thru this together!

Thank you!
Noroton FD

Reopen CT Advisory Group Business Committee Taking Emailed Questions from Public at Thursday Meeting

Wednesday, May 13 — An announcement Wednesday morning from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that members of the Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group’s business committee will hold a roundtable discussion on Thursday, May 14, 2020 at 10 a.m. regarding the impact of COVID-19 on the state’s business community.

Members of the public who have questions for the panel can email their inquiries to reopen@ct.gov. The discussion will be broadcast live by the Connecticut Network (CT-N) and available to watch on its cable television channel and through a live stream on CT-N.com.

Some of the members of the advisory group’s business committee who will participate in this roundtable include:

• Moderator: David Lehman, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
• Joe Brennan, President and CEO of the Connecticut Business and Industry Association
• Oni Chukwu, Executive Chairman of Aventri
• Dan Meiser, Chairman of the Connecticut Restaurant Association
• Fran Pastore, President and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Council
• Meredith Reuben, CEO of EBP Supply Solutions
• David Roche, President of the Connecticut Building Trades
• Garrett Sheehan, President and CEO of the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce

Earlier this week, members of the advisory group’s education committee held a similar roundtable discussion regarding the impact of COVID-19 on schools. Video of that discussion can be watched online here.

The Reopen Connecticut Advisory Group is a panel of local health, business, workforce, and education experts who are consulting with the Lamont administration and legislative leadership on the reopening of Connecticut’s economy and education system as the nation emerges from the unprecedented public health emergency caused by COVID-19.

The group is providing Governor Lamont with recommendations, which the governor is using to inform his decisions on the reopening of the state.

TUESDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Tuesday, May 12 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 40^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 40^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7MM enacts the following provisions:

• Allows municipalities to expedite changes to their zoning rules or other ordinances to expand outdoor dining
• Creates an expedited approval process for restaurants and other establishments that serve food to get fast-tracked permission to create or expand outdoor dining areas
• Allows other businesses such as retail stores to get fast-tracked permission to sell goods on the sidewalk or in other outdoor areas, including shared spaces or spaces provided by municipalities
• Allows restaurants and other businesses who already have liquor permits to serve alcohol only with food without applying for a separate patio or extension of use permit
• Allows private clubs to sell alcohol only to their members for delivery or pickup
• NOTE: A separate executive order will provide for the Phase I reopening of businesses and other activity, including those that are subject to today’s order. All of the Phase I reopening activity will be subject to operating rules issued by the Department of Economic and Community Development.

State receives its largest shipment of personal protective equipment to date

Over the last several days, the State of Connecticut received its single largest shipment of personal protective equipment to date in the fight to combat COVID-19. The equipment, which came from suppliers in China, was delivered to the state’s commodities warehouse in New Britain. It includes:

• 6 million surgical masks;
• 500,000 protective masks;
• 100,000 surgical gowns; and
• 100,000 temporal thermometers.

The PPE in the process of being sorted and then will be delivered to frontline workers, including first responders, hospital staff, long-term care facility staff, direct care providers, and other people on the front lines.

The state’s supply of PPE has been managed in a coordinated effort by the state’s unified command structure, which includes several state agencies, and its distribution has been handled by the Connecticut National Guard. As of May 11, the state has delivered 15,186,349 pieces of PPE to those in need, including:

• 5,852,086 surgical masks;
• 956,211 KN95 masks;
• 326,656 N95 masks;
• 448,435 face shields;
• 40,587 surgical gowns;
• 51,248 Tyvek coveralls; and
• 7,511,126 non-sterile gloves.

For more information, read the press release issued today by Governor Lamont.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Relay services can be accessed by calling 7-1-1. Anyone who is out-of-state or using Relay can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 toll free by dialing 1-800-203-1234. The hotline is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

TUESDAY State Statistics on COVID-19 Cases in Lower Fairfield County

Tuesday, May 10 — As of 8:30 p.m., Monday (and reported publicly by the state on Tuesday), 195 Darienites were identified with COVID-19, a total adjusted downward to one less than the number reported the previous day, according to information released by state authorities. (Reminders: Many people are thought to have the COVID-19 virus who aren’t identified; the state says “all figures are preliminary and subject to change.”)

Here’s the number of identified cases in nearby communities, according to the state government Web page for this day’s Coronavirus statistics:

Stamford — 2,946 cases (nine more than the  2,937 reported on Monday)
Norwalk — 1,776 (13 more than the 1,763 reported on Monday)
New Canaan — 158 (one more than the 157 reported on Monday)
Greenwich — 721 (two more than the 719 reported on Monday)
Westport — 263 (two more than the 261 reported on Monday)
Wilton — 192 (12 more than the 180 reported on Monday)
Weston — 63 (no change; the same number as the 63 reported on Monday)
Ridgefield — 192 (two more than the 190 reported on Monday)
Fairfield — 486 (five more than the 481 reported on Monday)
Bridgeport — 2,556 (88 more than the 2,468 reported on Monday)

TEN WORST HIT CONNECTICUT MUNICIPALITIES (with total cases): 1. Stamford (2,937), 2. Bridgeport (2,556), 3. New Haven (2,032), 4. Norwalk (1,776), 5. Hartford (1,571), 6. Waterbury (1,547), 7. Danbury (1,518) 8. West Haven (885), 9. Hamden (796), 10. Greenwich (721).

Largest Shipment of Personal Protective Equipment To Date Received in Connecticut, Governor Says

Tuesday, May 12 — An announcement from the Governor’s Office:

Gov. Ned Lamont today announced that the State of Connecticut received its single largest shipment of personal protective equipment (PPE) in the fight to combat COVID-19.

The equipment, which came from suppliers in China, has been delivered over the last couple of days to the state’s commodities warehouse in New Britain.  It includes:

• 6 million surgical masks;
• 500,000 protective masks;
• 100,000 surgical gowns; and
• 100,000 temporal thermometers.

The PPE in the process of being sorted and then will be delivered to frontline workers, including first responders, hospital staff, long-term care facility staff, direct care providers, and other people on the front lines.

“Today marks another important step as we continue to battle the novel coronavirus,” Lamont said. “I want to personally thank the Chinese people for their continued support during this public health crisis. I would especially like to thank the China Construction Bank for helping facilitate this shipment and for their generous donation. Further cooperation and collaboration between the United States and China is very important as we navigate this global pandemic.”

The state’s supply of PPE has been managed in a coordinated effort by the state’s unified command structure, which includes several state agencies, and its distribution has been handled by the Connecticut National Guard. As of May 11, the state has delivered 15,186,349 pieces of PPE to those in need, including:

• 5,852,086 surgical masks;
• 956,211 KN95 masks;
• 326,656 N95 masks;
• 448,435 face shields;
• 40,587 surgical gowns;
• 51,248 Tyvek coveralls; and
• 7,511,126 non-sterile gloves.

Any entity that would like to partner with the state on the procurement of PPE can fill out this form on the state’s website.

MONDAY State Statistics on COVID-19 Cases in Lower Fairfield County

Monday, May 10 — As of 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 196 Darienites were identified with COVID-19, a total adjusted downward to one less than the number reported on Sunday, according to information released by state authorities. (Reminders: Many people are thought to have the COVID-19 virus who aren’t identified; the state says “all figures are preliminary and subject to change.”)

Here’s the number of identified cases in nearby communities, according to the state government Web page for this day’s Coronavirus statistics:

Stamford — 2,937 cases (readjusted to one fewer case than the  2,921 reported on Sunday)
Norwalk — 1,763 (readjusted to one fewer case than the 1,764 reported on Sunday)
New Canaan — 157 (10 more than the 147 reported on Sunday)
Greenwich — 719 (no change from the 719 reported on Sunday)
Westport — 261 (no change from the 261 reported on Sunday)
Wilton — 180 (no change from the 180 reported on Sunday)
Weston — 63 (one more than the 62 reported on Sunday)
Ridgefield — 190 (one more than the 189 reported on Sunday)
Fairfield — 481 (five more than the 476 reported on Sunday)
Bridgeport — 2,468 (38 more than the 2,430 reported on Sunday)

TEN WORST HIT CONNECTICUT MUNICIPALITIES (with total cases): 1. Stamford (2,937), 2. Bridgeport (2,430), 3. New Haven (1,982), 4. Norwalk (1,763), 5. Hartford (1,529), 6. Waterbury (1,523), 7. Danbury (1,506) 8. West Haven (867), 9. Hamden (780), 10. Greenwich (719).

MONDAY COVID-19 Governor’s Briefing

Monday, May 11 — As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Gov. Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 6 p.m. on Monday, May 11, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Governor Lamont signs 39^th executive order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 39^th since he enacted the emergency declarations – that builds upon his efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of the virus. Executive Order No. 7LL enacts the following provisions:

• Modifications to the petitioning process for the August primary: Makes modifications to the existing statutory petitioning process for minor parties, unaffiliated petitioning candidates, and major party candidates who fail to receive fifteen percent at a major party district convention and wish to run in the August primary as follows:
  • Reduces by 30 percent the number of signatures required;
  • Extends the deadline for submission of petitions by two days; and
  • Permits an individual to sign and mail or email to a candidate a petition containing only that individual’s signature, provided the individual makes all the required representations and attestations under penalty of false statement.

Connecticut Department of Public Health distributes its first allotment of remdesivir to acute care hospitals across the state

Over the weekend, the Connecticut Department of Public Health distributed the state’s first allotment of remdesivir to acute care hospitals. The medication, produced by Gilead Sciences Inc.’s, has shown promise in helping patients infected with COVID-19. It was recently authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for patients who have severe symptoms of COVID-19.

So far, the state has received 30 cases of 40 doses each, for a total of 1,200 doses. The Lamont administration is coordinating with Connecticut’s Congressional delegation and the Connecticut Hospital Association to secure more doses for the state. Gilead has committed to supply approximately 607,000 vials of remdesivir over the next six weeks in the United States. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is allocating those supplies to the states.

Governor Lamont encourages residents to sign up for the state’s CTAlert notification system

Governor Lamont is encouraging Connecticut residents to sign up for CTAlert, the state’s emergency alert system, which provides text message notifications to users. To subscribe, text the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents 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 hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access. It 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.

Webinar at 2 PM Tuesday on CT Business Reopening Guidelines State Economic Development Officials

Monday, May 11 — This announcement was passed on by the Darien Chamber of Commerce on Monday:

CT Department of Economic & Community Development Commissioner David Lehman will speak on the recently announced business reopening guidelines from he State as part of Governor Lamont plan to reopen Connecticut businesses.

This free webinar is hosted by the City of Stamford’s Office of Economic Development and all Darien business owners are invited to register to participate.

Click Here to Register

Gov. Lamont and David Lehman share details about PHASE 1: Safely Moving Towards Reopening Connecticut Information for Restaurants, Offices, Retail, Hair Salons, Barber Shops, Museums and Zoos on May 20th. The goal is to reopen safely and securely with clear rules for businesses that safeguard the health of all of our residents.

The rules include detailed information and requirements about physical distancing, hygiene, sanitizing, personal protective equipment (PPE), scheduling, training and much more.

In addition, we established a new task force that will help small businesses understand and implement these new regulations. The task force, made up of small business and industry associations from around the state, will release a detailed guide by May 15 to help organizations implement our rules and open safely. We will continue to share news as it becomes available.