Update: April 18 6:45 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus

Friends and Neighbors,

Governor Lamont this evening announced that approximately 612 people were tested on the opening day of the rapid Covid-19 testing center set up by CVS at the site of the former Gateway Community College campus in New Haven.

He also announced a partnership between DECD, a personal finance company and data, analytics and technology company Equifax to expedite loan processing and payments under the Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program

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-18

Approximately 612 tests completed yesterday at newly launched rapid testing center in New Haven

Approximately 612 tests were completed during the first day of operations at the rapid COVID-19 testing center that opened Friday at the site of the former Gateway Community College campus in New Haven. Operated as a public-private partnership between the State of Connecticut and CVS Health, with support from the City of New Haven, it is estimated that about 750 tests can be performed at the site each day, seven days per week.

The rapid test center uses the new Abbott ID NOW™ COVID-19 test, which provides results in 30 minutes, from the collection of the swab to the delivery of the results. Tests are provided at no cost to all patients.

Anyone interested in being tested must register online and make an appointment prior to arriving at the test site. Unlike the state’s other testing centers, patients do not need to be referred by a doctor prior to being tested. To make an appointment, visit www.cvs.com/minuteclinic/covid-19-testing.

New partnerships formed to expedite loan processing and payments under the Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program

The Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) has formed partnerships with SoFi, a leading online personal finance company, and Equifax, a global data, analytics and technology company, to expedite loan processing and payments – and lower costs – under the Connecticut Recovery Bridge Loan Program.

The $50 million program was created by DECD to provide cash flow relief to small businesses and nonprofits negatively impacted by COVID-19. The DECD program has already received over 5,000 applications.

While DECD will make all lending decisions, SoFi will utilize its advanced technology capabilities to expedite all loan processing and facilitate fulfillment to ensure borrowers receive their financial assistance in a timely fashion. Equifax differentiated data assets lend further support to the program to improve the process by validating required information of recipients, credit and bank accounts. These partnerships will help DECD meet the goal to make payments by the end of April. In addition to being more efficient, this new approach lowers costs by automating the closing process.

SoFi, which has over one million members, is providing these third-party services to support Connecticut and this important COVID-19 relief program as part of its larger mission to help people get their money right. Equifax blends unique data, analytics, and technology with a passion for serving customers globally and a commitment to helping people and businesses live their financial best. 

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Yesterday, Governor Lamont signed Executive Order No. 7BB which requires cloth face coverings or higher level of protection required in public wherever close contact is unavoidable.

Effective at 8:00 p.m. on April 20, 2020, any person in a public place in Connecticut who is unable to or does not maintain a safe social distance of approximately six feet from every other person shall cover their mouth and nose with a mask or cloth face-covering.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends wearing face masks to limit potential spread of Covid-19.

More information from the CDC can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/diy-cloth-face-coverings.html?fbclid=IwAR2Nr-I11fKPdLETvfkV-d1Jp0r6d10IzCuXan1GYIVUeqv5AKDeJeYzUgQ

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As of 5:00 p.m. tonight – Saturday, April 18th – the state has diagnosed a total of 17550 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 1086.

Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut 

Updated 4:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2020

Total patients who tested positive: 17550

Fairfield County: 7363

Hartford County: 3196

Litchfield County: 593

Middlesex County: 448

New Haven County: 4743

New London County: 315

Tolland County: 270

Windham County: 97

Pending address validation: 525