Connecticut, Northeast, Are The New Coronavirus Hot Zones

CONNECTICUT — The number of communities falling within the state's red alert level for coronavirus infections rose by 15 towns this week, two weeks into a new reopening phase that has seen capacity limits for nearly all businesses lifted.

The coronavirus positivity rate has been about 3.7 percent over the past seven days; the daily rate reported Thursday is 4.45 percent. During a news conference Thursday, Gov. Ned Lamont said he found the "positivity climate going up Metro North" to be "unnerving," and reminiscent of the spread of the virus last seen in the Northeast "exactly a year ago."

Michigan and states in the Northeast dominate when it comes to the number of cases per capita, with the whole region being the nation's new "red zone." Connecticut currently has the 4th highest number of cases per 100,000 population over the past seven days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Although Connecticut in the top tier of cases per capita, it is 35th when it comes to fatalities per capita. Lamont called that statistic "a reminder that vaccinating those most at risk, vaccinating those most likely to suffer complications or death, made a big difference..."

Towns fall into the red zone when average daily cases exceed 15 per 100,000 population over a two-week average. There are now 146 of 169 towns still in the red zone, up from 131 in last week's reckoning.

The color codes correspond to guidance from the state Department of Public Health about various activities.

Orange (10-14): Chester, Columbia, East Haddam, East Hampton, Salisbury, Somers, Stonington and Vernon

Yellow (5-9): Essex and Willington

Gray (less than five): Ashford, Canaan, Chaplin, Cornwall, Eastford, Franklin, Hampton, Lyme, Norfolk, North Canaan, Scotland, Sharon and Warren

The number of residents hospitalized for COVID-19 dropped 21 beds, below 500 to 492.

Another 1,580 cases were confirmed, bringing the state total to 312,468. The death toll from the virus in Connecticut is now 7,900, following 14 more reported Thursday.

See Also: CT Makes 100,000 Coronavirus Vaccine Appointments Thursday

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