Update: April 8 8:30 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus

Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Lamont this evening announced that the state continues to process more than 2,000 offers of donations of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and also announced a partnership with long-term care facilities on a medical surge plan that includes establishing COVID-19 recovery centers in nursing homes to accept patients who can be discharged from acute care hospitals. He also reported that the Department of Labor has processed nearly 133,000 claims of the more than 302,000 the agency has received since March 13.

For the first time, the governor’s update also included statistics regarding positive case information for the state’s nursing homes; a table is included in the governor’s release here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/04-2020/Governor-Lamont-Coronavirus-Update-April-8

The state keeps up-to-date virus statistics and provides a Town-by-Town breakdown on the final page of the daily report, which can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:

In a press release tonight, Governor Lamont announced:

State continuing to process donations for Personal Protective Equipment

The State of Connecticut is continuing to process inputs from people, businesses, and organizations who wish to donate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for use in the state’s hospitals and long-term care facilities. To date, there have been 2,027 offers to donate items. Those offers are being processed through a collaboration between the Department of Public Health and the United Way 2-1-1 of Connecticut.

The state continues to request PPE for health care workers, first responders, and other essential workers. To donate PPE, click here to fill out an intake form.

Governor Lamont announces medical surge plan in partnership with Connecticut’s long-term care facilities

Governor Lamont today announced a partnership with Connecticut’s long-term care facilities to collaborate on a medical surge plan that includes the establishment of COVID-19 recovery centers in nursing homes to accept patients who can be discharged from acute care hospitals, but are still impacted by COVID19 infection.

So far, at least four such recovery centers will be opened in Torrington, Bridgeport, Meriden, and Sharon that will make available more than 500 new beds for COVID-19 patients.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health is also working with hospitals to ensure that more patients can be tested while they are hospitalized in order to receive the two negative COVID-19 test results 24 hours apart that are needed in order for a patient to be discharged to a general long-term care facility. There are currently more than 2,000 available beds in long-term care facilities that could be occupied by patients currently hospitalized who could be discharged when they get their negative COVID-19 tests.

The Connecticut Department of Social Services and the Office of Policy and Management have determined a specific payment rate of $600 per day for the COVID-19 recovery centers, and additional payments of 10% across the board for all nursing homes in Connecticut during the course of the pandemic.

And Athena Health Care systems is one of the first private Connecticut nursing home providers to partner with the state on the effort to open up COVID-19 recovery centers.

Connecticut Department of Labor provides $35 million in benefit payments to 104,000 residents during pandemic

The Connecticut Department of Labor has provided more than $35 million in benefits payments to nearly 104,000 claimants for the week ending April 4. The agency has now processed nearly 133,000 claims of the more than 302,000 the agency has received since March 13.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic began to dramatically affect Connecticut and its businesses community, the agency was typically issuing approximately 40,000 benefit payments weekly, providing $15 to $16 million in benefits to those seeking new employment. The $35 million dollars issued this past week represents a more than 100 percent increase in the amount of benefits that were provided the previous week.

“Typically the agency receives 3,000 new claims a week – but the applications we have seen in last 21 days represent more than we would handle in 18 months,” Commissioner Westby added. “Typically, a staff of 20 handles the weekly processing, but we now have over 80 CTDOL employees – including those from other units, retirees, and former staff who have transferred to other agencies – all working together to get benefits to our residents as quickly as possible. Additional staff are receiving training and will soon be assisting as well. The agency appreciates the public’s patience as it works to process the thousands of claims that have been filed as a result of the pandemic. Although there continues to be a six-week backlog, all eligible claims will be processed, paid, and retroactive to the date they were filed.”

While the numbers in Connecticut are staggering, Connecticut is not unique. Unemployment claims are up in record numbers across the country, as states close non-essential businesses to slow the virus.

To speed up the processing of their claims, unemployed residents who have not yet filed should:

• Visit www.filectui.com
• Click first on the message above the large blue button that notes, “For quicker payment of unemployment benefits, please follow these instructions.” The link will bring claimants to a guide that should be read before filing for benefits.

For residents who have already filed a claim, Commissioner Westby reminds residents that it is very important they check their email (including junk and spam folders) daily for updated messages from the Labor Department.

The agency hopes to be able to provide the federal benefits, including the weekly $600 in additional payments and benefits to self-employed individuals and independent contractors, in the next several weeks. Updates on the status of these programs will also be posted to the agency’s website, www.ctdol.state.ct.us. Federal benefits will be retroactive to the date they were signed into law.

To watch a video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWnAmOoFL0g

The governor’s full press release can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/04-2020/Governor-Lamont-Coronavirus-Update-April-8

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Governor Lamont Directs Flags Lowered to Half-Staff in Honor of Those Who Have Lost Their Lives or Have Been Affected by COVID-19

Governor Ned Lamont today announced that he is directing U.S. and State of Connecticut flags to be lowered to half-staff statewide effective immediately in recognition and mourning of all those who have lost their lives and been affected by COVID-19. The flags will remain lowered throughout the emergency. Accordingly, since no flag should fly higher than the U.S. flag, all other flags – including state, municipal, corporate, or otherwise – should also be lowered during this same duration of time.

More information can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/04-2020/Governor-Lamont-Directs-Flags-Lowered-to-Half-Staff-in-Honor-of-Those-Who-Have-Lost-Their-Lives

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When Governor Lamont issued Executive Order No. 7S on April 1, recipients of the “circuit breaker” program had their benefits automatically extended. This is not at the discretion of individual municipalities; it is mandated by the Executive Order and is of great benefit to seniors and disabled residents of our state.

Suspension of Reapplication Filing Requirement for the Homeowners’ Elderly/Disabled Circuit Breaker Tax Relief Program and for the Homeowners’ Elderly/Disabled Freeze Tax Relief Program.

The biennial filing requirements under Sections 12-170aa(e) and (f) and Sections 12-129b and 12-129c of the Connecticut General Statutes for any taxpayers who were granted the benefit for the Grand List year 2017 and who is required to recertify for the Grand List year 2019, are suspended and such taxpayers shall automatically maintain their benefits for the next biennial cycle ending in Grand List year 2021.

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Judicial Branch Information

The Judicial Branch’s overarching goal remains the same: to protect their employees and members of the public by keeping as few courthouses open, for the shortest period of time possible, as may be necessary to hear the critical priority one cases. The following initiatives are part of the Judicial Branch’s ongoing effort to secure the highest possible level of protection to the public and the staff who work in our courthouses.

· Remote Filing of Restraining Orders and Civil Orders of Protection

o We are now accepting remote filing of restraining orders. Detailed instructions for how to file Temporary Restraining Orders and Civil Protection Orders can be found here: https://jud.ct.gov/HomePDFs/TRO_Instructions.pdf

· New Media Procedures

o In an effort to reduce the number of people in our remaining open courthouses, the Judicial Branch is implementing a temporary procedure for media representatives covering court proceedings. For more details, please go to: https://jud.ct.gov/HomePDFs/ProcessMediaCOVID19.pdf

· Reduced Appellate and Supreme Court Hours

o Effective Monday, April 13, 2020, and until further notice, the hours of operation for the Office of the Appellate Clerk will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

· Remotely Accessible Judicial Resources

• We have developed an informational brochure for individuals to learn how to access Judicial Branch resources from home. The brochure is posted on the Judicial Branch website and beginning tomorrow the marshals will hand it out to members of the public.
• The brochure can be found here: https://jud.ct.gov/HomePDFs/Accessing_Jud_Resources.pdf?v1

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As of 7:30 p.m. tonight – Wednesday, April 8th – the state has diagnosed a total of 8781 cases of Coronavirus. Updated virus totals and Town-by-Town statistics can be accessed here: https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus

The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is 335.

Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut

Updated 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020

Total patients who tested positive: 8781

Fairfield County: 4417

Hartford County: 1290

Litchfield County: 292

Middlesex County: 174

New Haven County: 1945

New London County: 120

Tolland County: 128

Windham County: 49

Pending address validation: 366