As the number of cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 continues to climb, officials expect the peak will hit Connecticut in less than two weeks.
One doctor at Yale New Haven Hospital told the New Haven Independent that it’s still the “calm before the storm” for him and his colleagues.
Meanwhile, Rhode Island is using National Guard personnel and state troopers to question people coming in from out of the state. Initially, it was just targeting New Yorkers, but it now applies to everyone outside of Rhode Island.
Here’s the latest on the coronavirus in Connecticut...
Topline
- At least 34 people have died from COVID-19 in Connecticut.
- Public health officials expect the peak of the pandemic to hit the state April 11-14.
- FEMA has approved Connecticut’s request for a major disaster declaration.
By The Numbers
All numbers are as of March 29 at 5 p.m.
- 34 deaths from COVID-19
- 1,993 confirmed cases
- Fairfield County: 1,245
- New Haven County: 280
- Hartford County: 276
- Litchfield County: 87
- Tolland County: 40
- Middlesex County: 38
- New London County: 20
- Windham County: 7
- More than 11,900 people tested
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The Latest
- FEMA has approved Connecticut’s request for a major disaster declaration, which means state agencies and local governments will be reimbursed for 75% of the costs associated with their pandemic response and emergency protective measures. There could be additional assistance, including expanded unemployment benefits and child care aid. Health officials say the peak of the pandemic in Connecticut is likely to occur April 11-14.
- President Donald Trump backed off the idea of quarantining Connecticut, New York and New Jersey on Saturday, but not before sending state and local officials into a panic. “The president had a passing comment on his way to the helicopter, then he re-tweeted that he was considering, quote, a mandatory quarantine for New York City, New Jersey and parts of Connecticut,” Lamont said Saturday evening. “And words matter. Those words have created a certain amount of confusion.” The CT Mirror’s Mark Pazniokas details “the craziest day in the crazy time of the coronavirus.”
- After some public shaming from New Haven Mayor Justin Ellicker, Yale says it’ll make 300 beds available to hospital personnel and first responders. The university previously declined to house these workers because students’ belongings were still in dorm rooms.
Other Reads On The Coronavirus
- Nurses Die, Doctors Fall Sick and Panic Rises on Virus Front Lines - Michael Schwirtz for The New York Times
- What Happens If Workers Cutting Up the Nation’s Meat Get Sick? - Michael Grabell for ProPublica
- Sports companies band together to help the medical field in time of need - Tom VanHaaren for ESPN
What The World Needs Now
If you unplugged this weekend (like I tried to do), you may have missed this viral video from students at Berklee College of Music. Morning Edition host Diane Orson said she’s been sharing it with friends this weekend.
There’s so much online creativity right now, so fill me in on what I’ve probably missed at tives@ctpublic.org and I’ll share it here and on Twitter.
Stay safe. Stay sane. Stay distant.
