CT Coronavirus Uptick Cause Not Fully Known: Lamont

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut had another day of a positive coronavirus test rate of around 1.8 percent and an increased number of coronavirus-related hospitalizations.

The state reported 192 positive cases out of 10,372 results for a positive test rate of 1.85 percent. Net hospitalizations increased by three patients up to 107. The hospitalization increase was less pronounced than the previous two days which both saw a double-digit increase.

Of particular concern is Norwich, which has seen a coronavirus spike recently. The positive test rate in the city is 6.7 percent over the past week and a daily infection rate average of 24 per 100,000 population. The infection rate is three times the state average.

The state has issued a COVID Alert for Norwich and will bring in a rapid response team to enhance the amount of testing in the city. Residents are encouraged to be even more vigilant in mask use and social distancing and to stay home and get tested if they feel sick or think they came into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Norwich is home to many casino workers, but so far track and trace data doesn’t show the spike being related to that, Gov. Ned Lamont said at a Thursday news conference.

The Colchester area also saw an uptick in cases in part due to an outbreak at a nursing home in the town.

There isn’t a definitive reason as to why the state’s coronavirus activity has seen an uptick, Lamont said. There have been 133 coronavirus cases among K-12 students and staff over the past few weeks out of a total community population of 600,000 or 700,000.

“Almost all those who tested positive, that did not happen at school, that did not happen in the classroom,” he said. “That happened off-campus so to speak, maybe a party, maybe some sports, but… perhaps a classroom is one of the safest places you can be.”

Connecticut has made vast improvements to engaging students who are remote learning. Around 3.7 percent of students are “fully-disconnected” where they don’t sign in for classes compared to 30 percent in the spring, Lamont said. The state launched a large initiative to supply students with laptops and internet access.

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