CHRONOLOGY OF COVID
It arrived in Connecticut in March, almost immediately robbing local residents of all sense of normalcy, as it had already done in other parts of the world.
Schools were quickly shut down. So were bars, restaurants, hair salons, casinos, churches and more. Large gatherings were frowned upon then outright banned.
From the start, the coronavirus pandemic was like nothing many had ever seen before.
Within months, wearing masks became commonplace with stores stocking their shelves with them and many sewing their own. Markings began appearing on the floors of grocery stores, department stores and other businesses, warning shoppers and clients to practice social distancing.
People began washing their groceries upon arriving from the store, until new information showed the virus was more transmittable through the air than through surf aces as initially thought.
Ten months later, the pandemic has changed society as we know it, with bar owners still unable to open their doors, state officials discouraging f amilies and friends from group activities of any kind and businesses operating on a curfew — an effort to prevent late night gathering of crowds.
Here’s a look back at the state’s journey through the worst pandemic since 1918.
March
5 Lamont is told in a meeting that 5 state and local health officials have monitored at least 200 people in Connecticut for the COVID-19.
8 The state’s first confirmed case of coronavirus is announced.
10 Gov. Ned Lamont declares a civil preparedness and public health emergency.
13 All schools ordered to close after
March 16; state receives a sudden influx of 2,000 unemployment claims, signaling recession..
18 An 88-year-old Ridgefield man is the first person in Connecticut to die after a COVID-19 infection.
20 “Stay Safe, Stay Home” executive order closes all nonessential, in-person business in Connecticut. The governor calls in the National Guard.
23 Gov. Ned Lamont issues a stay-at-home order.
April
2 Connecticut unemployment claims reach 220,000. Unemployment claims in the United States reach 6.6 million.
10 The total number of confirmed
COVID-19 infections in Connecticut reaches 10,000
17 Deaths from the coronavirus in
Connecticut reach 1,000. Lamont signs executive order mandating face coverings in public.
27 Coronavirus-related deaths in Connecticut reach 2,000
May
5 The total number of confirmed
COVID-19 infections in Connecticut reaches 30,000. Governor extends cancellations of in-school classes for the remainder of school year.
20 Gov. Lamont’s stay-at-home order is lifted, Connecticut begins phase 1 of a three-phase plan to reopen
22 The total number of confirmed
COVID-19 infections in Connecticut reaches 40,000.
30 Deaths in the United States from the coronavirus reach 100,000.
June
5 World Health Organization begins encouraging people to wear face masks.
11 COVID-19 cases in the United States surpass 2 million.
17 Phase 2 begins. Indoor dining, hotels and gyms are allowed to open, with restrictions.
25 Connecticut releases a preliminary back-to-school plan for the 2020-2021 school year.
July
6 Lamont suspends Phase 3 reopening for bars and public gatherings as cases surge nationally.
18 U.S. death toll from the coronavirus hits 140,000.
August
3 Tropical storm Isaias makes landfall in Connecticut.
6 Connecticut marks three straight days with no COVID-related deaths.
20 UConn pauses football activities after six players test positive for COVID-19.
September
11 Metrics begin to show the coronavirus increasing in Connecticut.
15 Connecticut is levying $100 fines for not wearing masks and higher fines for large gatherings.
21 Gov. Ned Lamont appoints a state commission to plan distribution of a COVID vaccine.
October
23 Deaths from COVID-19 in the United States reach 200,000.
1 President Donald Trump tests positive for the coronavirus.
2 Connecticut reports 460 new COVID cases in one day.
14 Connecticut’s positivity test rate for the coronavirus jumps to 2.4 percent for the day, a level not seen since June.
20 The state sees more than 400 new COVID-19 infections, pushing the infection rate to 3 percent.
28 The death toll attributed to
COVID-19 in Connecticut tops 4,600.
30 Connecticut’s COVID-19 positivity
rate reaches 6.1 percent.
November
2 With COVID-19 cases surging, Gov.
Ned Lamont reverses the state’s reopening, limiting restaurants to 50 percent capacity and no more than eight people at a table.
3 Lines at the polls are long as mask-wearing voters come out in droves to vote during the pandemic.
9 Pfizer reports its COVID-19 vaccine showed more than 90 percent effectiveness in late-stage trials.
21 Several Connecticut school
districts move students into extended distance learning due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases and the number of people who are quarantined.
December
23 Connecticut hits 100,000 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
9 Connecticut’s daily infection rate reaches 8.6 percent.
11 Emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is granted.
15 The first patients in Connecticut receive Pfizer’s COVID vaccine.
17 A second vaccine candidate developed by Moderna goes before the FDA for emergency use authorization.