HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Gov. Ned Lamont said Monday he expects to make some “very preliminary” decisions about reopening parts of Connecticut’s economy in about one week to 10 days, citing a recent decrease in the number of hospitalizations for COVID-19.
“We’re going to have more information at that point,” he told reporters during his daily briefing. “If we can maintain this declining hospitalization rate, that’s the two-week window that gives us at least some flexibility for some early decision-making there.”
The White House’s coronavirus task force has recommended states have 14 to 28 days of declining hospitalizations when considering what to reopen. While Lamont noted “it’s not a straight line,” he said Connecticut is about seven days into a downward slope of hospitalizations and that means announcements about certain locations reopening could be made in a week or week-and-a-half.
“My estimation is, we’re going to open up those things which you can do safely, those things where you can social distance,” he said, noting how Connecticut didn’t close parks or as much retail as other states.
As of Monday, 1,998 people have died in Connecticut from COVID-related illnesses.
For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough, that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or death.
In other coronavirus-related developments around Connecticut:
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INMATE LAWSUITS
Advocates who allege Connecticut prison inmates are being put at risk of COVID-19 are focusing their efforts in federal court after a state Superior Court judge on Friday dismissed a lawsuit that could have led to the release of those deemed most at danger of contracting the new coronavirus.
Judge Barbara N. Bellis ruled that state policies do not rise to the level of a conscious disregard for inmate health or safety.
There are two federal lawsuits filed by prisoners that allege the conditions violate their constitutional rights. Dan Barrett, American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut legal director, said the state continues to house hundreds of prisoners in dangerous conditions, such as dormitories and bunk rooms where social distancing is impossible.
Connecticut has taken the unusual step of transferring inmates who have tested positive for the virus to a central location. For men, that is the maximum-security Northern Correctional Institution, where they are held in solitary confinement for at least 14 days before being returned to the general population.
In an affidavit for the state lawsuit, inmate Roger Johnson described being allowed out of his isolation cell just once to make a phone call home, not being allowed to shower for two weeks, and inmates taking aspirin and Tylenol to try and hide their fevers and avoid being sent to Northern.
Correction Department spokeswoman Karen Martucci said the department’s polices are designed to protect the inmates. She said those in dorms are required to wear masks, but acknowledged social distancing is a challenge. Also, she said the state is speeding up releases but needs to make sure those eligible for early release have a place to live and services to help prevent recidivism.
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NURSING HOME INSPECTIONS
A team of investigators from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and members of the Connecticut National Guard are helping the state’s Department of Public Health investigate the growing number of deaths in the state’s nursing homes.
The Hartford Courant reports that on Monday federal investigators arrived in Connecticut. Also, the National Guard members were being fitted with personal protective equipment. They’re expected to begin entering the facilities as early as Tuesday.
Last week, Gov. Ned Lamont ordered DPH to physically inspect every nursing home in Connecticut to makes sure infection protocols are being followed and there is enough personal protective equipment for staff. Data released Friday by Lamont’s office indicated there has been at least one positive COVID-19 case in 135 of the state’s roughly 215 nursing homes. There have been 568 laboratory confirmed deaths associated with the disease in Connecticut nursing homes and 200 suspected cases as of Friday.
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MUNICIPALITIES SEEKING HELP
Connecticut’s largest association of cities and towns announced Monday it is joining forces with a national coalition of state, county and local government groups to secure additional federal funding to help municipalities cover the financial fallout of the pandemic and an increased demand for services. The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities also wants local communities to have a portion of the $1.38 billion the state has received in federal funding.
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FOOD ASSISTANCE
Connecticut officials are seeking federal approval to allow food stamps recipients to use their EBT cards to purchase food online during the pandemic. It’s part of a wide-ranging effort to address food insecurity issues in the state.
The Department of Social Services has already expanded eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and increased the amount of benefits families can receive. Department of Social Services Commissioner Deirdre Gifford said plans are also in the works to provide people who need to remain home with restaurant meals.
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PRESIDENTIAL KUDOS
President Donald Trump, a Republican, had some friendly words on Monday for Connecticut’s Democratic governor, who recently accused the president of throwing “verbal grenades” but frequently thanks the administration for its help to the state. After Lamont asked a question of Dr. Deborah Birx, the White House coronavirus task force coordinator, about testing protocols during a conference call on Monday, Trump said: “Thank you very much, Ned. Thank you also for the nice things you said last week.”
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