Governor Lamont Provides Update on Connecticut’s Coronavirus Response Efforts

(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 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 20, 2021:

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 of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:

For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”

Governor Lamont signs renewed COVID-19 emergency declaration, remaining in effect through May 20

Pursuant to legislation that was recently approved by the Connecticut General Assembly, Governor Lamont signed a declaration renewing the public health and civil preparedness emergencies that were enacted to enable the state to provide an adequate response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The declaration will remain in effect through May 20, 2021.

Governor Lamont consolidates previously issued executive orders and extends duration of others

Governor Lamont issued a series of new executive orders pursuant to the newly filed COVID-19 emergency declaration extension that considerably consolidates many the previously issued orders related to the pandemic and extends the duration of others. The governor explained that this new series – indicated by the sequence number eleven – reduces the number of currently active executive orders under the state of emergency by roughly 60%, helping to provide a clearer picture for residents of those that continue to be in effect.

The executive orders include:

• Executive Order No. 11: Extends to May 20 various executive orders that have been identified as critical to pandemic response and recovery, except for those covered by Executive Order Nos. 11A through 11D.
• Executive Order No. 11A: Consolidates and renews sector rules and related enforcement authority so that the Department of Economic and Community Development can continue to issue changes to these rules as the circumstances evolve and vaccination rates increase.
• Executive Order No. 11B: Consolidates all of the temporary flexibilities and changes to liquor sales and service. Additional orders will follow to implement the governor’s announcement today about liquor service outdoors.
• Executive Order No. 11C: Consolidates and renews authority for relevant agency heads to restrict visitation at congregate facilities in order to limit the risk of transmission of COVID-19.
• Executive Order No. 11D: Consolidates and renews contracting flexibility to procure essential goods, services, and real estate to respond to the pandemic.
• Executive Order No. 11E: Extends to May 20 executive orders that have been identified as critical to pandemic response and recovery.

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 are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.