Connecticut traffic picks up, but still less than in January

No new deaths from COVID-19 reported

Traffic has picked up across much of Connecticut as more businesses reopen and people return to work, but there are still fewer drivers on the roads than before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Data compiled by The Associated Press show there are currently about three times the vehicle miles traveled in Connecticut compared to the state’s lowest seven- day period in April, shortly after Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont ordered the closing of nonessential businesses and other functions to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

However, travel is still well below normal, down about 34% compared with January. The increases seen in May and June have now slowed to a trickle over the last two weeks and average miles traveled have remained steady at about 62 million per day across Connecticut.

On April 12, which was Easter Sunday, travel was down nearly 87% compared with January, the largest single-day drop during the pandemic.

The state Department of Transportation has seen steep drops in other forms of travel during the pandemic, as well. In a June 29 briefing for state legislators, DOT said there was a 95% loss in ridership on the New Haven Line, Shoreline East and Hartford Line commuter rail lines during the beginning of the pandemic. By mid June, that had improved slightly to a 90% loss in ridership.

Bus ridership initially experienced a 50% to 60% drop, depending on the community. But DOT said on June 29 that had improved to a 35% reduction from pre-pandemic average ridership.

In other coronavirus related news:

No new deaths

Connecticut has seen 47,287 confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 so far, according to data released by Lamont’s administration Friday evening, an increase of 78 from data released Thursday. There have been 4,348 deaths associated with the disease in the state, with no additional deaths reported Friday.

There were 77 people hospitalized with the disease in the state on Friday, a decrease of 13 from the day before. In all, 556,230 tests had been reported as of Friday, up 12,594 from the prior day.

The state reported that New London County has had 1,263 confirmed COVID-19 cases so far, an increase of six from data released Thursday. Probable cases declined by three. The county’s number of hospitalizations, three, remained unchanged from the prior day. County deaths associated with the disease have remained unchanged since June 22, at 76 confirmed and 26 probable.

“I’ve always cautioned against reading too much into one or two day’s data, but I’m pleased that as we head into the weekend our numbers remain good,” Lamont said in a statement. “A 0.6 percent positive test rate, hospitalizations at a very low level, and most importantly zero new deaths are further evidence our plan is working. We are counting on everyone to continue to wear face coverings, keep a distance, follow the guidelines, and get tested if you’re feeling any symptoms. Together, we can buck the negative trends we are seeing around the country.”

Also on Friday, the University of Connecticut announced that it has performed 150 COVID-19 tests on student athletes since June 19 and all results came back negative.

“While this is good news, it is certainly no time to relax the standards and protocols we have in place to ensure the safety of our student-athletes and staff,” said David Benedict, UConn director of athletics. He said officials “will remain vigilant throughout this process.”

Nursing homes

Despite the state’s low infection rate, there were still 47 new cases and 10 COVID-19-associated deaths among nursing home residents July 1-7, according to new information released Friday. During that period, state officials said there were 38 new infections and one death among nursing home staff, who recently have begun getting tested at many facilities. Those positive cases include staff who were asymptomatic, something state officials said is expected in these early rounds of testing.

At assisted living facilities, where many staff also are being tested for the first time, there were 22 workers who tested positive July 1-7. The figure includes staff who were asymptomatic. Among residents, there were three positive tests and one death during the same time period.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness and lead to death.