The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
New coronavirus cases in CT amid plans for 2nd reopening
As Connecticut reported more than a dozen new deaths attributed to COVID-19 Sunday, Gov. Ned Lamont released new rules meant to allow additional businesses to reopen in less than two weeks, and the state announced a settlement with the ACLU over a lawsuit meant to protect prisoners from the disease.
Hospitalizations remained flat for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, as Connecticut recorded 16 new deaths attributed to the sickness and 150 new infections, data released by the state Sunday shows.
The newly reported fatalities brings the statewide death toll to 4,071, including patients who both tested positive for the illness prior to their death and those state health officials believe likely died from the disease.
The new infections brings the statewide number of cases to 43,968, according to the data released by Lamont’s office Sunday afternoon.
The number of people currently hospitalized for the disease remained at 333, the same as the day before.
Earlier in the day, Lamont released new guidelines for a list of businesses set to reopen June 17. The venues include nail salons, tattoo parlors, gyms and indoor restaurants.
The rules come with restrictions on capacity— most of the businesses reopening can only allow in half the number of patrons they normally would be allowed to, as well as regulations on installing barriers between employees and their clientele.
“We appreciate that we had a seat at the table to help put these guidelines together,” said Scott Dolch, executive director of the Connecticut Restaurant Association.
He said only around a quarter of the state’s roughly 8,500 eateries have been able to reopen with outdoor dining, and that more than half of the state’s restaurant workforce of 160,000 have been furloughed or laid off amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Meanwhile, the governor’s office announced the state has reached an agreement in a lawsuit brought by the ACLU seeking changes to prevent the spread of the disease among the state’s inmates.
The agreement requires the Department of Corrections to identify those most at risk for the disease and fast track considering them for early release. It also bars DOC from punishing inmates who test positive for the disease, and requires prisons to distribute cleaning supplies and masks to inmates.
The proposed settlement still needs to be approved by a federal judge in order to go into effect.
“This has been an unprecedented time in our country and I am most proud of how our staff and leaders have selflessly performed their essential duties to ensure the health and safety of those entrusted to our care,” DOC Commissioner Rollin Cook said in a statement. “Their courageous efforts have saved lives and positively impacted our entire community.”