CT Phase 3 Reopening Still On, Hospitalizations Increase
CONNECTICUT — Connecticut’s coronavirus hospitalization increased by 19 patients over the weekend and the state’s positive test rate ticked up, but for now the state will press on with its third reopening phase scheduled for Thursday.
There were 823 positive coronavirus cases out of more than 50,000 test results over the past three days for a positive test rate of 1.64 percent. Hospitalizations increased up to a net of 129 patients.
The third reopening phase will increase maximum capacity from 50 percent to 75 percent for indoor dining and personal services. It will also expand maximum capacity caps for private commercial gatherings like weddings. Bars and nightclubs will remain closed indefinitely.
Lamont said there wouldn’t be an absolute metric where he would pull back on the third reopening phase.
“I think about it, there’s no absolute number, but I see the rapidity of how fast it changes and if you get to 4, 5 percent [positive test rate] you know you got reconsider what’s going on if that happens quickly,” Lamont said.
Southeastern Connecticut is experience a higher positive test rate and more hospitalizations than other parts of the state. Southeastern Connecticut’s positive test rate is 3 percent.
About half of the new coronavirus hospitalizations over the weekend are in New London County. Norwich schools are shifting to remote learning as the city saw a surge of coronavirus infections the past week. Norwich’s positive test rate reached a peak of 7 percent and has since dropped to 2 percent as the state brought in its rapid response testing team.
New London County was mostly spared from Connecticut’s initial coronavirus wave in March and April.
The coronavirus outbreak at the White House prompted Lamont and his senior staff to distance themselves more often and to take coronavirus tests twice a week. Lamont appeared alone on his Monday news conference and had his senior staff members appear remotely. Previously Lamont said he was taking a coronavirus test every couple of weeks.
The outbreak at the White House expanded Monday after White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany and two of her aides tested positive for the virus. McEnany tested negative on previous days.
President Donald Trump tweeted that he would be leaving Walter Reed Medical Center Monday evening.
I will be leaving the great Walter Reed Medical Center today at 6:30 P.M. Feeling really good! Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life. We have developed, under the Trump Administration, some really great drugs & knowledge. I feel better than I did 20 years ago!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 5, 2020
Lamont criticized Trump’s remarks.
“I think it’s totally inappropriate, this is the exact wrong time to relax your guard,” Lamont said, adding that coronavirus infections are serious for people around his age or the president’s age.
See also: Regal Theaters Closing All Locations Including In CT: Here’s Where
This article originally appeared on the Across Connecticut Patch
