Update: May 7 8:30 p.m. – State Response to Coronavirus
Posted on May 8, 2020
Friends and Neighbors,
Governor Lamont this evening announced Executive Order No. 7KK.
The Order lifts certain regulations on who can order diagnostic tests and suspends the requirement that patients receive a referral from a physician or other prescribing medical provider prior to being tested for COVID-19, and allow tests to be conducted by pharmacists.
The governor also announced seven criteria for a phased reopening of businesses.
Earlier in the day, the governor announced that the DOL updated their website and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation “red button” is posted and active for self employed workers to apply for benefits.
To watch the full video of the governor’s afternoon press conference, please click here:
More information and the governor’s full press release can be read here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Coronavirus-Update-May-7
Governor Lamont Announces Suspension of Regulations to Support a Major Expansion of COVID19 Testing
State Removes Requirement for a Referral from Medical Provider Prior to Receiving a COVID-19 Test; Allows Tests to be Conducted at Pharmacies
(HARTFORD, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont today announced that his administration is lifting certain regulations on who can order diagnostic tests to allow for a major expansion of COVID-19 testing in the state. This includes the suspension of the requirement that patients receive a referral from a physician or other prescribing medical provider (such as a physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nurse practitioner) prior to being administered a COVID-19 test, and the modification of state laws and regulations in order to allow these tests to be conducted by pharmacists.
The governor explained that this will help the state in its overall goal of significantly increasing the number of people who are receiving tests, particularly for those in underserved communities or who may not have a primary care physician. He also said that allowing the COVID-19 tests to be administered at pharmacies will increase access, especially within more populated, urban areas and facilitate increased screening of essential front-line workers.
The suspension of the regulation that required prior referrals for COVID-19 tests from medical providers was enacted through an implementation order that was signed by Public Health Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell. The modification of the state statute to allow pharmacists to order and administer the tests is accomplished through an executive order Governor Lamont signed this afternoon.
Each of the state’s COVID-19 testing sites continue to require appointments be made in advance prior to arriving. There is no cost to be tested for COVID-19. The Families First Coronavirus Response Act guarantees all Americans can receive free testing. This includes those with private insurance, government insurance (Medicare, Medicare Advantage, HUSKY, VA, FEHBP, and TRICARE), and even those with no insurance.
Both of the orders will remain in place as needed for the duration of the declared public health and civil preparedness emergency.
**Download: Governor Lamont’s Executive Order No. 7KK
More information can be found here: https://portal.ct.gov/Office-of-the-Governor/News/Press-Releases/2020/05-2020/Governor-Lamont-Announces-Suspension-of-Regulations-to-Support-a-Major-Expansion-of-COVID19-Testing
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Governor Lamont outlines criteria for Phase 1 of reopening
During his daily news briefing this afternoon, Governor Lamont announced that his administration is utilizing seven criteria in its consideration for Phase 1 of Connecticut’s reopening efforts:
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Updated list of nursing homes and assisted living facilities with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19
The following documents are updated lists of every nursing home and assisted living facility in Connecticut with residents who have tested positive for COVID-19, along with corresponding data regarding the number of related fatalities among residents in each facility. The data was reported to the state by each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities. These lists are updated on a weekly basis.
**Download: Data on nursing homes in Connecticut as of May 6, 2020
**Download: Data on assisted living facilities in Connecticut as of May 6, 2020
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Important Information from the Department of Labor
On April 30th, the Connecticut Department of Labor (CTDOL) announced that the self-employed could apply for federal unemployment benefits. Unfortunately, the system was not fully set up to handle those claims.
Today, the site has been updated and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation “red button” is posted and active on their site.
Self-employed individuals must follow a two-step application process:
- Pursuant to Federal guidelines, self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and “gig” workers, are required to first apply through the Connecticut unemployment system located at http://www.filectui.com;
- Before proceeding to the next step, applicants must receive a determination notice in the mail from the Connecticut Department of Labor prior to accessing and applying for benefits under the newly-designed Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program.
More information can be found on the DOL site: http://www.ctdol.state.ct.us/UI-OnLine/index.htm
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As of 4:00 p.m. tonight – Thursday, May 7th – the state is reporting a total of 31784 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 2797.
*For public health surveillance, COVID-19-associated deaths include persons who tested positive for COVID-19 around the time of death (confirmed) and persons whose death certificate lists COVID-19 disease as a cause of death or a significant condition contributing to death (probable).
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 7, 2020
Total patients who tested positive: 31784
Fairfield County: 12679
Hartford County: 6750
Litchfield County: 1114
Middlesex County: 764
New Haven County: 8678
New London County: 742
Tolland County: 522
Windham County: 250
Pending address validation: 285