Press Releases

05/06/2022

Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts

Latest Data as of 3:00PM on Friday, May 6, 2022

(HARTFORD, CT) – 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 3:00 p.m. on Friday, May 6, 2022:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

The following is a summary of newly reported data on COVID-19 in Connecticut from the past 7 days.

*This column indicates all PCR/NAAT tests by specimen collection date from the past 7 days. Test positivity is calculated as a rolling 7-day test positivity by specimen collection date; all positive molecular (PCR/NAAT) test results are divided by all molecular (PCR/NAAT) test results (positive and negative) for the last 7 days and multiplied by 100 to reach a percentage. Hospitalizations over the past 7 days indicates the change in the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 over that period. Deaths over the past 7 days indicates the number of new COVID-19 associated deaths reported; deaths are reported once weekly.

As of April 4, 2022, negative rapid antigen and rapid PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 are no longer required to be reported to the Connecticut Department of Public Health. Negative test results from laboratory based molecular (PCR/NAAT) results are still required to be reported as are all positive test results from both molecular (PCR/NAAT) and antigen tests. Both positive molecular (PCR/NAAT) and antigen tests will continue to be used for determining case status.

Of the 239 patients currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19, 81 (33.89%) are not fully vaccinated.

For the week beginning April 24, 2022, unvaccinated persons had a 2x greater risk of testing positive for COVID-19 compared to persons who have received an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

For the week beginning April 24, 2022, unvaccinated persons had a 4x greater risk of dying from COVID-19 compared to persons who have received an additional dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Data on COVID-19 associated deaths is updated once per week every Thursday. The most recently reported total number of deaths is 10,858.

To read the full report – which includes a series of interactive graphs and charts that provide additional data on metrics related to age, gender, race/ethnicity, municipality, county, and other information – visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

CDC lists all eight Connecticut counties in the medium or high category as part of its latest COVID-19 community levels update

On Thursday evening, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) listed all eight Connecticut counties in the medium/yellow or high/orange categories as part of its COVID-19 Community Levels Map. A week ago, only New London County was listed in the medium/yellow category, while the other seven counties were listed in the low/green category.

The COVID-19 Community Levels Map – which was launched in late February – informs CDC recommendations on prevention measures, such as masking and testing. The guidelines include a color-coded system available on the CDC website of “low,” “medium,” and “high.” This approach focuses on preventing hospitals and health care systems from being overwhelmed and directing prevention efforts toward protecting people at high risk for severe illness.

“This latest CDC update is a reminder that Connecticut is in the midst of a swell from a subvariant of omicron,” Connecticut Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Manisha Juthani said. “The Department of Public Health has been preparing for this since late March, and all the tools are in place – including vaccines and second boosters, test-to-treat locations, therapeutics, self-tests, and state-supported testing – to help curb the severity of this illness. Residents should follow the CDC guidance for their respective county.”

Connecticut counties listed in the high/orange category include:

• Hartford County
• Middlesex County
• New Haven County

Residents in these counties should wear a mask indoors in public, stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines, and get tested if they have symptoms. Additional precautions may be needed for residents who are at high risk for severe illness.

Connecticut counties listed in the medium/yellow category include:

• Fairfield County
• Litchfield County
• New London County
• Tolland County
• Windham County

Residents who are at high risk for severe illness in these counties should talk to their health care providers about when they need to wear a mask and take other precautions. These residents should also stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines and get tested if they have symptoms.

Providing information to Connecticut residents

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This 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 is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

Twitter: @GovNedLamont

Facebook: Office of Governor Ned Lamont

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