CT Stands 'Ready' As Feds Speed Up Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont praised the coronavirus vaccine rollout efforts of the federal government on Tuesday, saying "As the doses come in, we are ready to get shots in arms."

Around 39,000 of those doses this week will be coming from Johnson & Johnson, Lamont said. The new one-dose vaccine was just approved for emergency use by the federal government over the weekend. President Joe Biden announced Tuesday he would be invoking the Defense Production Act so drugmaker Merck, a J&J rival, will help with the vaccine's production.

Over 1,040,000 doses of the vaccine have already been administered in the state, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A little over 20 percent of the population has received their first dose, and 8.6 percent have been completely inoculated.

Connecticut ranks fifth nationally in administering at least one dose of the vaccination per capita, according to the CDC.

Statewide, the vaccine is now available to residents 55 and over, as well as teachers, school staff, child care professionals, health care personnel, medical first responders, and long-term care facility residents and staff. As of Monday, the Veterans Administration Connecticut Healthcare System has officially opened COVID-19 vaccination opportunities to all enrolled veterans, regardless of tier age or occupation.

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The state Department of Public Health reported 502 new coronavirus cases Monday and the daily positive test rate creeped up to 2.90 percent.

The number of hospital beds holding COVID-19 patients dropped from 417 to 413. There were seven more coronavirus-associated deaths, bringing the toll to 7,658.