COVID-19 UPDATE: 68 cases confirmed in state; 'payment holidays' in the works for various bills

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At his daily briefing yesterday afternoon, Gov. Ned Lamont announced there are now 68 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state.

The numbers break down by county as follows:

Fairfield County: 48
Hartford County: 7
Litchfield County: 5
New Haven County: 8

Gov. Ned Lamont. Photo courtesy Frankie Graziano/Connecticut Public Radio.

Lamont was joined by Dr. Matthew Cartter, the state epidemiologist with the Department of Public Health, who reported that to date 248 tests have been completed. “Testing is important, but it is not the answer,” he said, repeating that people showing no signs of symptoms should be tested.

Cartter said that it can be assumed that for every single person who tests positive, there are “at least 100” who have the disease, “and that might be a low estimate.” He again stressed, however, that as with the influenza, those with the virus may never get sick.

“The vast majority of people who get this illness ”¦ will be better in a few days,” he said. “Most of us will not need to be tested.”

Testing capacity is increasing, Cartter said, but the continued lack of personal protective equipment, or PPE”™s, “is still a challenge.” He noted that Yale New Haven Hospital is now online with testing, and that he expects other acute care hospitals to follow suit soon.

Lamont said the Connecticut Department of Labor is working to expand unemployment compensation, something that Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner David Lehman confirmed. Unemployment benefits will be available for workers who have been temporarily furloughed, as well as for those who are still working but have had their hours cut, he said.

The governor said that typically during a recession, up to 5,000 Connecticut residents apply for unemployment benefits. “Yesterday 10,000 applied to the DOL,” he said.

Lehman further said that “payment holidays” of up to three months would be available to taxpayers and those holding student loans from state banks. He said the state is also considering relief for renters and mortgage-holders alike: “Stay tuned on that.”

He also said that he and Office of Policy and Management Secretary Melissa McCaw are “in close contact with our federal delegation” about receiving financial aid from Washington, D.C. Lehman said he was particularly interested in the idea floated by members of the federal government that would provide direct payments of $1,000 to each citizen.

“NOT WAITING FOR D.C.”

But “We”™re not waiting for D.C.,” he said. If necessary, the direct payments would be something the state “can be doing and should be doing.”

Lamont also took a swing at the federal government”™s response to the crisis, saying that “significant cash payments” and two weeks”™ paid sick leave for affected workers must be made available. “If the federal government doesn”™t get that right, Connecticut will get that right,” he declared.

The governor noted that “it looks like a significant piece of cash” will be used to expand Medicaid, “probably in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

He also implored municipalities to not close their daycare centers, given their importance for health care workers. “Keep your daycare centers open,” he said. “We need you.”

Lamont further said “we”™re doing better on food,” with universities and still-operating restaurants providing food for those who cannot afford to buy groceries.

The Department of Health is accelerating its nursing certification measures, Lamont said, calling on retired nurses to return to duty.

A decision on whether the state”™s primary election will take place on April 28, and whether malls will be asked to close, will probably be done in conjunction with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, he said.

New executive order; AG updates price gouging
Lamont”™s Executive Order No. 7E enacts the following provisions:

Modifies previously enacted waiver of 180-day school year: As a result of evolving circumstances, this order modifies Executive Order No. 7 to account for the potential impact on schools that may be subject to longer-term cancellation of in-school classes and permits schools, upon reopening in the spring of 2020, to close school on their normally scheduled end-dates, so long as local and regional boards of education provide opportunities for continuity of education to all students to the greatest extend possible consistent with federal and state guidance.
Suspension of required fingerprinting availability: The order suspends a state law that requires employees of a municipal police department or the State Police to collect the fingerprints of a person requesting such fingerprinting for a criminal history records check, and permits police department fingerprinting hours to be limited or eliminated to limit the transmission of COVID-19. Barracks will remain open to the general public for other business.
Extension of time period for permits: The order modifies state statutes covering expiration dates for permits, licenses, and other credentials administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection and authorizes the agency”™s commissioner to extend those dates as he deems necessary in his sole discretion to protect public safety.
Suspension of the requirement that public assistance benefit overpayments be immediately recouped: The order authorizes the Commissioner of Social Services, to the extent permitted by federal law, to temporarily suspend recoupment of non-fraudulent overpayments for public assistance programs for the duration of the pandemic emergency.
Suspension of in-person hearing attendance at Department of Social Services fair hearings: The order modifies state statutes to authorize the Commissioner of Social Services to suspend any requirement that an aggrieved person authorized by law to request a fair hearing of a decision of the commissioner appear in person at such hearing.

In addition, the governor clarified that the executive order he issued Monday prohibiting gatherings of 50 people or more does not apply to food banks, mobile food distributors, and farmers”™ markets. These activities are considered essential services and not subject to the restrictions in the order.

DECD launches COVID-19 business response unit
The DECD is launching the COVID-19 Business Emergency Response Unit, which will be dedicated to helping businesses in Connecticut navigate the resources available to them during this crisis. Small businesses seeking guidance can reach this unit by calling 860-500-2333.

In addition, DECD and Advance CT, a nonprofit organization that works to advance economic competitiveness in Connecticut, today began distributing a comprehensive survey to businesses to get information on what types of resources they need throughout the duration of this pandemic. This will help the state gather important information on the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses interested in participating in this survey can access it here.

Department of Banking issues guidance to banks and credit unions
Banking Commissioner Jorge Perez issued guidance to Connecticut state-chartered financial institutions on ways to provide relief to assist Connecticut consumers and small businesses in response to COVID-19.

The guidance urges Connecticut state-chartered banks and credit unions to work with borrowers consistent with safe and sound banking practices. These efforts can include easing credit terms for new loans, waiving overdraft fees, waiving late fees for loan balances, increasing the number of allowed money market withdrawals, waiving CD early withdrawal penalties, and offering payment accommodations such as allowing borrowers to defer some payments or extending the payment due dates.

The department also asks institutions to communicate with their partner companies, like servicers and collection agencies, so consumers and small businesses know all possible accommodations.

Preparing for space needs of hospitals
The Connecticut Hospital Association is working with the Connecticut Department of Public Health and others to prepare for space needs in hospitals. They”™re exploring the best ways to restructure space in their facilities in order to accommodate patients safely, as some patients require things like negative pressure rooms. These efforts are in order to ensure that people receive treatment and the spread of COVID-19 is mitigated.

Red Cross of Connecticut asks donors to schedule appointments
To mitigate the spread of the virus and reduce gatherings of large groups of people, the American Red Cross has canceled nearly 2,700 blood drives throughout the country. More than 80 percent of the blood the Red Cross collects come from donation drives, and these cancellations have resulted in some 86,000 fewer blood donations.

The Red Cross of Connecticut is asking people in the state to consider donating blood by calling ahead to one of their offices and scheduling an appointment that will allow them to encourage safe social distancing while still ensuring blood donations are being received.

Individuals interested in donating blood can schedule an appointment by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, calling 1-800-RED-CROSS, or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

Office of Early Childhood working to ensure childcare for health care staff and first responders
The Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC) is working to make child care available for health care staff and first responders in particular. On Monday, OEC posted 37 waivers for child care facilities in order to ensure child care is flexible. The agency is actively working with several hospitals to provide stand-up child care for their workers and hopes to expand this effort.

Families are encouraged to look to trusted friends, neighbors and family members, who are not in a high-risk category – for child care. Anyone in need of child care is encouraged to dial 2-1-1 and they will be directed to resources in their area.

OEC is sending out guidelines today to child care programs and families throughout the state to help ensure everyone remains safe during this period.

DMV suspends in-person visits
The Department of Motor Vehicles has closed all branch offices to the public for the transaction of business. Employees will continue to report to their work locations, unless otherwise instructed, and will assist with transactions that are completed online, through the mail, and by interactive voice recognition.

Customers seeking further information should visit www.ctdmv.info for daily status updates.

Department of Revenue Services suspends in-person visits
The Department of Revenue Services (DRS) has suspended in-person visits from the general public to its offices. The agency will continue to provide online service to customers. Information about tax filings and the Taxpayer Service Center can be found on the DRS website at ct.gov/drs. Services are also available via telephone by calling 860-297-5962.

Department of Energy and Environmental Protection suspends enforcement of bottle collections, suspends public visits to offices
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is suspending its enforcement activities at bottle collection facilities; however, it is not requiring that these facilities shut down. This will enable stores the discretion to have more of their staff focused on stocking shelves with needed food and supplies.

DEEP is also suspending in-person visits by members of the public at their main office in Hartford effective immediately.

Attorney General Tong provides update on price gouging complaints
Attorney General William Tong today announced that his office has received 71 complaints regarding large price hikes on basic supplies like hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes and toilet paper since the governor declared civil preparedness and public health emergencies on March 10.

The office has received reports of 7.5 oz hand sanitizer bottles retailing for more than $25 and 2 oz bottles of hand sanitizer selling for $10 at local gas stations and stores. Consumers have also reported price hikes on basic necessities like toilet paper and disinfectant wipes. In some cases, consumers have reported 30-packs of toilet paper retailing for $39.99 and three-packs of disinfectant wipes selling for nearly $40.

Anyone who suspects price gouging should file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General online at www.dir.ct.gov/ag/complaint. If consumers are unable to file a complaint online or via email, they can call the Office of the Attorney General at 860-808-5318.

Department of Social Services suspends in-person visits at all facilities
Department of Social Services field offices are now closed to the public as a protective measure for the safety of customers and staff. DSS staff are working and the agency is continuing to provide services.

DSS customers can access benefit and application information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at www.connect.ct.gov and www.ct.gov/dss/apply. Customers can also call 1-855-6-CONNECT (1-855-626-6632). Full information on ways to contact DSS online, by phone, by mail, and at office dropboxes is at www.ct.gov/dss/fieldoffices.

Looney, Duff statement; CT ranks high in ‘aggressiveness’ against virus
Late this afternoon, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) released the following statement urging employers, public and private, to allow more employees to work from home.

“We must each do everything we can to protect our families and our communities to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Considering the urgent and critical nature of this public health emergency, we are urging more public and private employers to allow more employees to work from home. While we understand that working from home can cause minor disruptions and logistical issues for employers, the health and safety of the public should be the first priority for everyone across the state of Connecticut. If you can, please stay home and stay safe.”

Also today, Westmed CEO Anthony Viceroy announced that his firm will temporarily close several site locations throughout Westchester and Fairfield counties, including the postponement of elective procedures, and will reduce the overall volume of in-person visits at the offices that are remaining open.

While its satellite offices in Norwalk, Stamford and Greenwich (OB/GYN-only) are staying open, urgent care services will be available only at its Yonkers site.

In addition, more than 200 nurses have been furloughed in Connecticut and New York due to exposure to the virus.

In the meantime, personal finance website WalletHub ranked Connecticut as the second-most aggressive state against COVID-19, behind Rhode Island.

The Nutmeg State ranked: