Lamont: coronavirus cases in Connecticut now 15,884; 1,926 in hospital, 971 dead

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 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

Since yesterday’s update, an additional 1,129 positive COVID-19 cases have been reported in Connecticut, bringing the statewide total to 15,884. To date, more than 53,122 patients have been tested in Connecticut. Approximately 1,926 patients are hospitalized. The total statewide total number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is 971. It should be noted that the day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week.

A county-by-county breakdown includes:

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

List of nursing homes with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19

The following is a list of every nursing home in Connecticut with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, along with corresponding data related to the number of cases and fatalities among residents in each facility. Because the collection of this data is a manual process, it is anticipated moving forward that this list will be updated on a weekly basis.

Connecticut Department of Labor processed 60,000 unemployment claims last night utilizing new software improvements

The Connecticut Department of Labor successfully processed 60,000 unemployment claims overnight utilizing the new software improvements the agency deployed yesterday in response to the overwhelming surge in claim applications resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional claims will continue to be processed through this new system, helping to expedite the process.

Emails containing next steps that claimants need to take to receive their benefits have been delivered to those whose applications were processed. In addition to checking inboxes, claimants are reminded to check any spam or junk folders for the email.

Since March 13, the department received more than 350,000 applications, nearly the same amount that it typically receives over a two-year period. Approximately 174,000 of those applications had already been manually processed prior to the deployment of yesterday’s software improvements. Paired with the continued manual processing, the originally anticipated six-week wait period is expected to be shortened to one week or less.

CHEFA announces FY 2021 COVID-19 grant program

The board of directors of the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority (CHEFA) voted at its April 15 meeting to replace their typical three grant cycles (client, nonprofit, and targeted) for FY 2021 to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The FY 20201 CHEFA COVID-19 Grant Program will focus on funding statewide efforts that are currently, or plan to be, launched by 501 (c)(3) Connecticut nonprofit entities within the next few months to respond to the crisis.

The efforts can be focused on statewide programs to support Connecticut communities and residents or can be sector specific statewide funds focused on one or more of CHEFA’s four core priority areas of health care, education, child care, and cultural.

Organizations seeking details may contact Betty Sugarman Weintraub, CHEFA Grant Program Manager, for more information at 860-761-8428 or bweintraub@chefa.com.

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.