COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut
The first confirmed case of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. state of Connecticut was confirmed on March 8, although there had previously been multiple people suspected of having COVID-19, all of which eventually tested negative. As of January 19, 2022, there were 599,028 confirmed cases, 68,202 suspected cases, and 9,683 COVID-associated deaths in the state.[1]
| COVID-19 Pandemic in Connecticut | |
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 Map of the outbreak in Connecticut by confirmed new infections per 100,000 people over 14 days (last updated March 2021)
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No confirmed new cases or no/bad data | |
 Map of the outbreak in Connecticut by confirmed total infections per 100,000 people (last updated March 2021)
10,000+
3,000–10,000
1,000–3,000
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| Disease | COVID-19 |
| Virus strain | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Location | Connecticut, U.S. |
| First outbreak | Wuhan, Hubei, China |
| Index case | Wilton |
| Arrival date | 8 March 2020 (3 years, 7 months and 2 days) |
| Confirmed cases | 599,028 |
| Suspected cases‡ | 68,202 |
| Hospitalized cases | 1,733 (current) |
Deaths | 9,683 |
| Government website | |
| portal | |
| ‡Suspected cases have not been confirmed by laboratory tests as being due to this strain, although some other strains may have been ruled out. | |
| Part of a series on the |
| COVID-19 pandemic |
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 Scientifically accurate atomic model of the external structure of SARS-CoV-2. Each "ball" is an atom. |
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As of January 17, 2022, 2,943,928 people (81.07% of the state's population) have received at least an initial dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 2,573,422 people (70.86% of the state's population) have been fully vaccinated.[2]
Timeline
| County[lower-alpha 1] | Cases[lower-alpha 2][lower-alpha 3] | Deaths[lower-alpha 4] | Population[lower-alpha 5] | Cases / 100k |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 / 8 | 983,652 | 12,354 | 3,565,287 | 27,589.7 |
| Fairfield | 265,869 | 3,053 | 943,332 | 28,184.0 |
| Hartford | 239,113 | 3,521 | 891,720 | 26,814.8 |
| Litchfield | 42,190 | 542 | 180,333 | 23,395.6 |
| Middlesex | 39,199 | 555 | 162,436 | 24,132.0 |
| New Haven | 259,625 | 3,204 | 854,757 | 30,374.1 |
| New London | 74,543 | 795 | 265,206 | 28,107.6 |
| Tolland | 28,151 | 322 | 150,721 | 18,677.6 |
| Windham | 31,667 | 357 | 116,782 | 27,116.3 |
| Updated June 1, 2023, with data from the previous day Data is publicly reported by Connecticut Department of Public Health[3] | ||||
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January–February 2020
In late January 2020, two students living in Connecticut were monitored for displaying coronavirus-like symptoms. The first student attended Wesleyan University in Middletown and tested negative for COVID-19, and instead had a case of the flu on January 27.[4] The second student monitored for the virus was attending the 2020 Yale Model United Nations Conference at Yale University in New Haven, and was also diagnosed with the flu on January 31.[5] On January 28, a student from Uncasville, who had traveled to China, was suspected to carry the virus, but tested negative and was cleared to return to school the next day.[6]
On February 6, the Connecticut Department of Public Health released a document with information intended for schools to prevent the spread of the virus. The document advocated for those who had been to China recently to self-monitor for 14 days, and that those exhibiting no symptoms after the 14-day period were able to return to their normal lives.[7][8]
In late February, greater precautions were undertaken by different organizations to be prepared for the potential spread of the virus into Connecticut.[9] On February 25, the University of New Haven suggested that all students in Italy should return to the United States.[10] A laboratory in Rocky Hill was approved by the United States Centers for Disease Control to test for COVID-19.[11]
March 2020
March 1–2: On March 1, two of Connecticut's neighbors, Rhode Island and New York, were confirmed to have COVID-19 cases.[12] On the same day, both the Connecticut state governor Ned Lamont and the United States Surgeon General spoke at a Connecticut Department of Public Health laboratory in Rocky Hill, which had been previously approved to test for the virus.[13] On March 2, two suspected cases of coronavirus in Connecticut were confirmed to be negative.[14]
March 3–4: On March 3, Southern Connecticut State University suspended all institutionally-supported travel to nations including Italy, China, South Korea, and Japan to try to prevent the spread of the virus.[15] On March 4, it was revealed that a Meriden-based company had begun research on a vaccine to combat COVID-19.[16]
March 5–6: On March 5, over 200 people in Connecticut were advised to self-monitor for symptoms.[17] On March 6, an employee at Danbury Hospital and Norwalk Hospital tested positive for COVID-19, marking the first confirmed coronavirus case that could be linked to Connecticut. However, the person infected lived in New York and quarantined in Westchester County, where she lived.[18]
March 8: The first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the state was reported in the town of Wilton. The patient was between the age of 40 and 50 and was believed to have contracted the virus during a trip to California.[19]
March 9: A second positive case of COVID-19 was confirmed. The patient was a female in her 60s and was a healthcare worker at Bridgeport Hospital.[20]
March 10: Governor Ned Lamont declared a civil preparedness and public health emergency in response to COVID-19.[21][22]
March 13: Governor Lamont ordered all schools to close after March 16 until at least March 31.[23]
March 20: Governor Lamont signed an executive order directing Connecticut businesses and residents to "Stay Safe, Stay Home."[24] The executive order was similar to other stay-at-home orders that were issued by different governors at the time.[25] Non-essential businesses were ordered to close and were subject to fines if they did not comply; individual citizens were not subject to fines for violating the order.[26]
March 24: Soldiers from the Connecticut Army National Guard's 102nd Infantry Regiment began distributing personal protective equipment to medical facility personnel at the New Britain Armory. Members of the 1st and 2nd Governor's Foot Guard and 2nd Governor's Horse Guard assembled a mobile field hospital at Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut.[27]
March 27: Dr. Cory Edgar, 48, of the University of Connecticut Health Center was arrested and charged with a breach of peace misdemeanor for coughing on and hugging coworkers. Edgar was in good health and was believed to not have COVID-19.[28] On the same day, Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) said that administration officials turned down an offer of congressional funding made on February 5.[29]
March 28: President Donald Trump decided against imposing a broad two-week lockdown on New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut; however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised residents of the region not to travel except for essential purposes.[30]
April 2020
April 11: Connecticut National Guard workers put up a field hospital with 646 beds at the Connecticut Convention Center.[31]
May 2020
May 20: Connecticut began Phase 1 of a three-phase plan to reopen Connecticut. Phase 1 allowed museums and zoos (outdoors only), offices, restaurants (outdoors only), retail and malls, outdoor recreation, and university research facilities to reopen.[32]
June 2020
June 1: Two of Connecticut's largest employers, Mohegan Sun Casino and Foxwoods Resort Casino, reopened. While Lamont publicly urged casinos to stay closed due to the sovereign nature of the tribal nations that own the casinos, they were able to open before similarly operated businesses in Connecticut.[33] The state started to erect electric signs on roads leading to the casinos to discourage people from going.[34] In addition, hair salons and barbershops were allowed to open.[32]
June 17: Connecticut began Phase 2 of reopening. Types of facilities that were allowed to reopen include indoor dining, hotels, and gyms.[35]
July 2020
July 6: Governor Lamont indefinitely postponed the Phase 3 reopening scheduled for July 20, citing the surge in cases following other states reopening. Although Connecticut had met its contact tracing goals and had not seen an increase in cases, the move was done in coordination with a comparable policy change in New Jersey, where case numbers were increasing.[36][37]
July 20: The state public health laboratory announced it had identified a flaw in the test system that resulted in 91 false positive tests in 90 patients over the previous month.[38]
July 21: Governor Lamont announced that travelers from states with a high burden of virus would be required to fill out a health questionnaire and quarantine for 14 days upon arrival in Connecticut. Noncompliance could result in a $1,000 fine.[39][40]
September 2020
September 1: Governor Lamont renewed the emergency orders, originally issued on March 10, 2020, to remain in effect until February 9, 2021.[41][42]
October 2020
October 8: The postponed Phase 3 reopening began, with existing limits on gathering capacities being relaxed. Indoor performing arts venues were reopened at 50% capacity while bars and nightclubs remained closed.[43]
November 2020
November 6: With the number of cases increasing, the Phase 3 reopening was scaled back to new "Phase 2.1" rules. Some of these rules included mandatory 10:00 PM closing times for restaurant dining, entertainment, recreational venues, and any other indoor or outdoor event.[44][45] The Connecticut State Department of Public Health advised a voluntary curfew from 10:00 PM to 5:00 AM.[46][47]
December 2020
December 14: Following Emergency Use Authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the first vaccinations with the Pfizer–BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine were administered to health care workers.[48]
December 18: The first nursing home residents were vaccinated.[49] December 21: The first doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine were administered.[50]
January 2021
January 4: Healthcare workers began receiving scheduled second vaccination doses for those who had already received one dose.[51]
January 26: Governor Lamont ordered a second extension of the emergency declaration to last until April 20, 2021.[52][53]
February 2021
February 1: The mandatory closing time for dine-in restaurants was moved from 10 PM to 11 PM. Mask guidelines, social distancing recommendations, and the 50% capacity limit on houses of worship were left unchanged, but the numerical cap on group size was lifted.[54]
February 8: As of this date, more than 50% of the population 75 years old or older was partially vaccinated, leading to the announcement that vaccinations would be opened to those 65 or older.[55]
February 22: Governor Lamont announced that Connecticut would shift to an age-based approach to vaccinations, with those 55 to 64 years old, education professionals, and teachers becoming eligible to get their first doses.[56]
March 2021
Due to another increase in cases, Lamont continued to push vaccination increases, and on March 25, he announced that on April 1 the vaccine would be open to anyone 16 and older.[57]
May 2021
May 3: Connecticut was the first state to fully vaccinate 50% of its adult population.[58]
June 2021
June 7: A report on sequencing analysis revealed sixteen instances of the B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant of concern (approximately 3% of samples in the past week) and two of the B.1.617.1 (Kappa) variant, both being first identified in India.[59]
Impact
Sports
In college sports, the National Collegiate Athletic Association canceled all winter and spring tournaments, most notably the Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments, affecting colleges and universities statewide.[60] On March 16, the National Junior College Athletic Association also canceled the remainder of the winter seasons as well as the spring seasons.[61]
Unemployment
Over 30,000 unemployment claims have been filed between Friday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 17 in Connecticut.[62] Many of these unemployment claims have been associated with the laying-off of employees of businesses unable to afford to maintain their entire staff during the outbreak, as well as due to the closure of businesses reliant on public and social interactions such as bars and gyms.[63][64]
Xenophobia and racism
In response to racism surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Connecticut governor Ned Lamont stated during a speech at the Connecticut Department of Public Health's laboratory in Rocky Hill, "there is no link between race or ethnicity and the spread of coronavirus. Viruses do not discriminate."[14]
Education
Governor Ned Lamont signed an executive order requiring the closure of all Connecticut public schools on March 17 until May 20; it was eventually extended for the rest of the school year. Most public schools were already closed. March 13–14[65] Lamont also encouraged private schools and other non-public schools to follow the same schedule.[66]
See also
- U.S. state and local government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Timeline of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States
- COVID-19 pandemic in the United States – for impact on the country
- COVID-19 pandemic – for impact on other countries
References
- "COVID-19 Update" (PDF). CT.gov. January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
- "COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution in Connecticut - Update for 01/19/2022". Connecticut Open Data. January 19, 2022. Retrieved January 25, 2022.
- "Connecticut COVID-19 Data Tracker". Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
- "2 students in CT monitored for coronavirus, school releases results for 1". WFSB. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Governor Lamont Announces Second Connecticut Patient Tests Negative for Coronavirus". CT.gov – Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Montville Student Who Experienced Symptoms Similar to Coronavirus Cleared to Return to School". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Coleman-Mitchell, Renée (2020). Information on the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) for K-12 Schools (PDF). Connecticut Department of Public Health.
- "CT DPH Issues New Guidance on Coronavirus". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Lambert, Ben (February 26, 2020). "Connecticut officials preparing for coronavirus to spread". New Haven Register. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Lambert, Ben (February 25, 2020). "University of New Haven recommends students in Italy return as coronavirus spreads". New Haven Register. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "CT lab approved to test for Coronavirus rapidly speeding up response". fox61.com. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Brindley, Emily. "Rhode Island, New York announce first coronavirus cases". Hartford Courant. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "US Surgeon General, Gov. Lamont speak at DPH lab in Rocky Hill". Fox 61. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Two Test Negative For Coronavirus In CT". Fairfield Daily Voice. March 2, 2020. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Coronavirus Update from President Joe | Southern Connecticut State University". Inside Southern. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Graziano, Frankie. "Effort To Develop Coronavirus Vaccine Underway In Connecticut". New England Public Radio. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "At Least 200 People in CT Have Been Told to Self-Monitor for Coronavirus Symptoms". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- "Conn. Hospital Employee Marks First Case of Coronavirus Connected to the State". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
- Times, The New York (8 March 2020). "Coronavirus in Connecticut: Governor Announces First Case of Resident". The New York Times. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- "THE LATEST: 68 test positive for COVID-19 in the state". WFSB. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- "Gov. Lamont declares civil preparedness, public health emergencies in response to coronavirus. What does that mean for you?". WTNH.com. 10 March 2020. Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- Lamont, Ned (March 10, 2020). "RE: Declaration of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies" (PDF). Office of the Governor. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- "Gov. Lamont Issues Executive Order to Close All Schools After Monday".
- "Governor Lamont Signs Executive Order Asking Connecticut Businesses and Residents: 'Stay Safe, Stay Home'". CT.gov - Connecticut's Official State Website. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- Hughes, Clyde; Haynes, Danielle. "Connecticut, Illinois, New York issue stay-at-home orders". UPI. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- Putterman, Alex; Keating, Christopher. "Gov. Ned Lamont orders workers at 'nonessential' businesses to stay home during coronavirus outbreak". courant.com. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- "Connecticut Military Department assists with COVID19 relief efforts". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 24 March 2020. Retrieved April 27, 2020.
- Al-Arshani, Sarah (March 27, 2020). "A Connecticut doctor has been charged after authorities said he deliberately coughed on his coworkers". Yahoo! News.
- Smalley, Suzanne (March 27, 2020). "Senator says White House turned down emergency coronavirus funding in early February". Yahoo! News.
- Handley, Paul (March 28, 2020). "Coronavirus: Trump decides against quarantine of New York region". Yahoo! News.
- Moody, Dominique. "Conn. National Guards Helps Assemble State's Largest Field Hospital". CT. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- "Sector Rules for Reopen". portal.ct.gov. June 6, 2020. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 6, 2020.
- Teitz, Liz (May 18, 2020). "Lamont, tribes in standoff over casinos' reopening". Connecticut Post. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- "As Foxwoods, Mohegan Sun reopen, state puts up coronavoirus warnings". Boston Herald. June 7, 2020. Retrieved June 7, 2020.
- "Here's What's Open as CT Begins Phase 2". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved June 19, 2020.
- Putterman, Alex (July 6, 2020). "Lamont to delay third phase of reopening; hospitalizations decrease over weekend as positive tests remain scarce; state hits contact tracing mark". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- Brindley, Emily (July 7, 2020). "With Connecticut's reopening plan paused, here's a look at what's open and what's still closed". Hartford Courant. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- Haigh, Susan (July 20, 2020). "Connecticut says it found testing flaw, 90 false positives". AP. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- Dixon, Ken (July 21, 2020). "$1,000 fines for out-of-staters who don't self-quarantine". ctpost.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- "Governor Lamont Signs Executive Order Strengthening Self-Quarantine Requirements When Entering Connecticut From High-Risk States". The Office of Governor Ned Lamont. July 21, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
- "Governor Extends COVID-19 State of Emergency for CT to February". WVIT-TV – NBCConnecticut.com. September 1, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- Lamont, Ned (September 1, 2020). "RE: Declaration of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies" (PDF). Office of the Governor. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- "What are the rules for Phase 3 reopening in CT?". Connecticut COVID-19 Response. October 6, 2020. Retrieved October 8, 2020.
- Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development. "Sector Rules and Certification for Reopen". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- "Connecticut Enters Phase 2.1 of Reopening Plan Amid COVID-19 Pandemic". NBC Connecticut. November 6, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- "DPH Issues New Public Health Advisory for All CT Residents Amid Rise in COVID-19 Cases". Connecticut State Department of Public Health. November 5, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- Massaro, Mike (November 6, 2020). "Voluntary Curfew Part of Phase 2.1 Rollback". Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- Putterman, Alex; Brindley, Emily (December 14, 2020). "'The dawn of a new day:' Hartford HealthCare administers Connecticut's first doses of COVID-19 vaccine". Hartford Courant. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- O'Neill, Tara; Cummings, Bill (December 18, 2020). "Several staffers, one resident get first COVID vaccinations at CT nursing homes". Connecticut Post. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- "First Doses of Moderna's COVID-19 Vaccine Given Shortly After Arrival in Conn". WVIT-TV – NBCConnecticut.com. December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
- "CT Healthcare Workers Get Second Dose of COVID-19 Vaccine". WVIT-TV – NBCConnecticut.com. January 4, 2021. Retrieved 2021-01-07.
- Bedner, Eric (January 27, 2021). "Lamont powers extended until April 20 despite Republican criticism". Journal Inquirer. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- Lamont, Ned (January 26, 2021). "RE: Declaration of Public Health and Civil Preparedness Emergencies" (PDF). Office of the Governor. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- Pellicano, Teresa (February 1, 2021). "Gov. Lamont easing COVID-19 restrictions on restaurants, businesses, places of worship". WTNH. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- Yankowski, Peter (February 8, 2021). "CT residents 65 and older can register for COVID vaccines this week". Connecticut Post. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
- Brindley, Emily; Putterman, Alex (February 2, 2021). "Connecticut COVID-19 vaccine rollout will be based solely on age, eliminating priority status for most essential workers; residents 55 and older and teachers eligible March 1". Hartford Courant. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- Altimari, Dave. "State moves up vaccine timeline for everyone over 16 to April 1". ctmirror.org. CT Mirror. Retrieved 5 April 2021.
- Paxnoikas, Mark (May 3, 2021). "CT is first state to vaccinate half of adults against COVID". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved 2021-05-03.
- Yankowski, Peter (June 7, 2021). "COVID variants first found in India now detected in CT". The Connecticut Mirror. Retrieved 2021-06-09.
- "NCAA cancels remaining winter and spring championships". NCAA. March 12, 2020.
- "NJCAA cancels spring sports, basketball nationals amid coronavirus outbreak". MLive.com. March 16, 2020.
- Singer, Stephen. "Connecticut unemployment claims reach 30,000 since Friday as coronavirus takes toll on state's economy". courant.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- "Coronavirus closures: Nearly 8,000 people have applied for unemployment since Friday, CT Department of Labor says". WTNH.com. March 16, 2020. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
- Keating, Alex Putterman, Chris. "Daily updates: Connecticut likely has thousands of cases of COVID-19, top health official says, as coronavirus continues to affect all aspects of state". courant.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - "Governor Lamont Announces Classes at K-12 Public Schools Will Remain Canceled for the Rest of the Academic Year". CT.gov. Retrieved May 10, 2020.
- "Coronavirus Closures: What's Open and What's Closed". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
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