Coronavirus Update: March 18, 2020
Posted on March 18, 2020
According to Governor Lamont, as of 4:30 p.m. yesterday – Tuesday, March 17th – the state has diagnosed a total of 68 cases of Coronavirus.
Latest COVID-19 Testing Data in Connecticut
Updated 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020
Total patients who tested positive (including presumptive positive): 68
Fairfield County: 48
Hartford County: 7
Litchfield County: 5
New Haven County: 8
For more information and links to local, state and federal agencies, as well as tips and ideas to keep your children busy, please go to my state website and click the Coronavirus Information and Resources page.
The governor’s full release can be accessed here.
The following information is the latest news sent out by the governor as of Wednesday, March 18, 2020:
NORTHEAST GOVERNORS FROM CONNECTICUT, NEW YORK, NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL MEASURES TO COMBAT COVID-19
Indoor Portions of Large Malls, Amusement Parks, and Bowling Alleys Added to List of Statewide Closures Effective 8PM Thursday
The governor’s full release can be accessed here.
As COVID-19 Threatens Public Health, ACCESS HEALTH CT Announces a New Special Enrollment Period For Uninsured CT Residents
New Special Enrollment Period starts Thursday, March 19 and ends Thursday, April 2
·Uninsured individuals can sign up for health insurance coverage through Access Health CT during the NEW Special Enrollment Period from Thursday, March 19 – Thursday, April 2, 2020.
·The effective date of coverage for all enrollments during the NEW Special Enrollment Period will be April 1, 2020.
·The only way to sign up for this NEW Special Enrollment Period is by calling 855-365-2428.
·Individuals who experience a Qualifying Life Event (e.g. loss of coverage due to job change or unemployment) or qualify for Medicaid/Children’s Health Program (CHIP), can ALWAYS enroll online, in-person or over the phone and all help is free.
Click here for more information.
Additional Action Taken by DPH, CT Hospital Association,
Internet Providers and Eversource
To speed testing and ensure the safety of the public, the Connecticut Department of Health (DPH) approved outdoor collection sites for several hospitals in the Yale new Haven health network, including Bridgeport Hospital, Lawrence and Memorial Hospital, Yale New haven Hospital and Greenwich Hospital.
Also, the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) established a website that contains information about COVID-19 resources and links to important information.
Additionally, many companies have altered their business models due to the Coronavirus situation, including cable and Internet operators and Eversource energy.
Connecticut Department of Public Health Approved
Outdoor COVID-19 Specimen Collection
Yale New Haven Health, including Bridgeport, Greenwich, L&M and Yale New Haven Hospitals, received approval from the Connecticut Department of Public Health to begin outdoor COVID-19 specimen collection.
In order to have a specimen collected, the PATIENT MUST HAVE AN ORDER FOR THE TEST from his/her physician.
After the order is placed, the patient will receive a call to schedule an APPOINTMENT FOR COLLECTION. Medical staff have been instructed on how to order the test through Epic (the Electronic Medical Record System).
The collection sites are located at:
- Bridgeport Hospital – Ahlbin Center garage, 226 Mill Hill Ave., Bridgeport, Monday-Friday from 8 AM – 5 PM, Saturday & Sunday from 9 AM – 3 PM. Opens 3/17/20.
- Lawrence & Memorial Hospital – Parking lot A of the hospital, 365 Montauk Ave., New London, Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 5 PM, weekend times to be determined. Opens 3/17/20.
- Yale New Haven Hospital – 150 Sargent Drive, New Haven, Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 4:30 PM. Opens 3/17/20.
- Greenwich Hospital – located on hospital property in the lower level physician parking lot off of Lake Avenue (hospital address is 5 Perryridge Road). Monday – Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM, Saturday & Sunday from 9 AM – 3 PM. Opened last week.
For questions, please call our Covid-19 Call Center at 203-ASK-YNHH. The call center is open daily from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Connecticut Hospital Association Announced Information Website
The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) has established the following website that contains information about COVID-19 resources, including the phone numbers for hospitals that have established call centers or dedicated lines to answer questions.
They will continue to update this information as new numbers become available.
Cable Companies Offering Low-Cost Options During Coronavirus Crisis
The New England Cable and Telecommunications Association (“NECTA”) is a five state regional trade association representing private cable telecommunications companies in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. All NECTA cable/broadband members have a physical presence in Connecticut.
NECTA member companies are committed to ensuring Americans stay connected to the internet as more workers begin to telecommute and students shift to online learning during this ongoing public health crisis.
As such, Charter, Comcast and Cox Communications are offering solutions for workers and families by expanding access to low-income plans, enhancing consumer protection policies, waiving all late fees, and opening Wi-Fi hotspots to Americans who need them.
Charter information please click here
Cox information please click here
Comcast information please click here
Eversource Assures Customers Safe and Reliable Service
Will Continue During COVID-19 Pandemic
Energy company implements workplace policy changes to proactively safeguard the health, safety and well-being of employees and customers
BERLIN, Conn. (March 17, 2020) –As COVID-19 continues to impact communities across its service territory, Eversource is working to ensure safe, reliable service for customers during these challenging times while also protecting the health of its employees and customers. Beginning last week, the energy company implemented several measures to reduce in-person employee interaction in its facilities, including a work-from-home requirement for employees who can do so, as well as enhanced cleaning measures.
“We develop and update emergency response plans on an annual basis and are currently operating under our emergency pandemic plan,” said Eversource Chairman, President and CEO Jim Judge. “Among other things, this allows us to focus our resources where they are needed most – ensuring the smooth and stable operation of our electric, gas and water operations. We are an essential part of the communities we serve across New England, and as a provider of critical services, are committed to supporting our customers and employees during this uncertain time.”
As of last week, Eversource began taking measures to alleviate any financial concerns its customers may face:
- Suspending customer disconnections for nonpayment Assisting customers with financial programs, such as setting up a payment plan
- Reminding customers to download the mobile app which allows customers to check their account, pay their bill and much more at their convenience
- Warning customers of increased scam activity due to the COVID-19 outbreak – customers should be wary of any unsolicited calls that threaten to disconnect utility service and that demand payment by unusual means. Eversource will never ask for personal information over the phone in this manner and does not accept payments via gift cards or other common tools used by scammers.
Also, as previously mentioned, disconnections for nonpayment have been suspended.
From an operational perspective, Eversource is:
- Continuing to plan for brief and targeted electric outages only when they are required to perform critical work to ensure reliability
- Reducing non-critical field work in our gas operations that requires access to homes or businesses
- Making sure all its field resources and support staff continue to be at the ready in the event of a storm or other disruption not related to COVID-19
Additionally, Eversource has enacted measures and guidelines for employees to ensure its workforce remains ready to serve customers and maintain its electric, gas, and water networks, including:
- Postponing employee travel, canceling large meetings and business gatherings
- Requiring employees who can work remotely to do so, reducing in-person interaction
- Creating new procedures – including cleaning protocols – so that employees who must work from our critical facilities can do so safely
Throughout this evolving situation, Eversource is committed to safeguarding the health and safety of its customers, employees and the communities it serves, and ensuring that it continues to reliably provide essential energy services.
Sincerely,
John Piscopo
State Representative 76th District – Burlington, Harwinton, Litchfield and Thomaston
As always, if you have any questions or concerns feel free to reach out to me at John.Piscopo@housegop.ct.gov. You can also follow my legislative activity by visiting reppiscopo.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/reppiscopo.