The Laurel is chronicling the major news concerning coronavirus in Connecticut. Follow along as the coverage continues, one day at a time. Connect with us on Twitter, @TheLaurelCT.
Here are the major news updates from today:
- Governor Lamont signed an executive order April 17 that enacts the following: Cloth face coverings or higher level of protection required in public wherever close contact is unavoidable and the postponement of presidential preference primary to August 11.
- Gov. Lamont announced at his daily press briefing that Fairfield County has reached its COVID-19 apex. He also said that his administration has ordered hundreds of thousands of fever thermometers in order to check people for COVID-19 symptoms as they eventually, and gradually, return to workplaces. The state has also received 3,500 Bluetooth smart thermometers which will create a temperature map to track where symptoms are moving. The governor continued to emphasize the need for more widespread testing and contact tracing.
- The governor also talked about a new app to track your symptoms and see how others around you are feeling:
- “The Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) formally announced Saturday it has formed partnerships with online personal finance company SoFi and credit-reporting agency Equifax to expedite the processing and payments of the state’s emergency bridge loan program,” according to New Haven Biz.
- “As of April 15, [CT Attorney General William] Tong’s office had received 520 complaints concerning 288 businesses in the state and has sent letters of inquiry to 215 of the businesses, including ‘several to Amazon and eBay retailers, and another 44 letters will go out Friday,'” CT Examiner reported.
- Emissions have decreased nearly 40% during the coronavirus pandemic. CT News Junkie has more.
- RiteAid to provide self-swab COVID-19 testing in seven states including CT. More here.
- CVS, in partnership with Abbott Laboratories, opened a rapid testing site in New Haven at 60 Sargent Drive, the former Gateway Community College. New Haven Register has more.
- Relief measures for residential renters in CT can be found here.
- You can find the Governor’s safe workplace rules for essential businesses here.
- The Hartford Courant has a special remembrance page for those who died in CT. Hearst CT Media Group also has a page dedicated to the lives lost from COVID-19.
- “The Connecticut Historical Society needs your help documenting life during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic.” The Hartford Courant has more.
- Brewery, winery and other liquor permit holders may now home deliveries now available per the Governor’s executive order. Hartford Business Journal has more.
- DEEP has released stricter guidelines in response to the high volume of visitors at state parks and trails. More information from DEEP here. Because people are finding it difficult to maintain effective social distancing measures at certain public parks, DEEP has been announcing various closures as needed on social media.
- For information about the CT Dept. of Banking’s 90-day grace period for mortgages, visit the state site here.
- Gov. Lamont has asked the private sector to help supply the state with personal protective equipment (PPE). The state’s request for PPE can be found here.
- Volunteers are needed around the state. Find out more information here.
Positive COVID19 tests to date: 19,815
