State reports 985 new COVID cases, 41 more hospitalizations

“We know the pandemic is taking a toll. Be patient at this time. It’s not a good idea to have a significant spread in Connecticut.” Ajay Kumar, Hartford Health Care’s chief medical officer

All key COVID- 19 numbers in the state continued to rise Tuesday, with 985 new cases reported — or 4.6 percent of the 21,230 people tested, according to data released by the governor’s office.

There were also seven new COVID deaths in the state and 41 more hospitalizations, bringing the total of people hospitalized in Connecticut to 381. There have been a total of 4,634 deaths.

Health experts said they aren’t surprised by the rising trend, but remain hopeful Connecticut won’t hit the kind of numbers it saw in the spring.

“Our concern, obviously, is that we are going to see increased prevalence and we need to be prepared for that,” said Dr. Ajay Kumar, Hartford HealthCare’s chief medical officer. “I don’t think it will be like March or April, [ but] I think we will see some uptick.”

The highest bump in hospitalizations was in New Haven County, with an increase of 15. Fairfield County was right behind, with 14 new hospitalizations.

Windham County was the only county where hospitalizations fell, by two.

Kumar and other area experts remained concerned, though cautiously optimistic, about the rising numbers.

Dr. Zane Saul, Bridgeport Hospital’s chief of infectious disease, confirmed the hospital had seen “an uptick in hospitalizations — definitely more than last month.”

But, he said, the hospitals are, and have been, ready for a jump in cases.

Saul said many of the changes made during the spring re

main in place, including regular temperature checks of those coming into the building and making sure there is an adequate supply of medications and personal protective equipment.

Like Kumar, he doesn’t think the recent spike will equal what happened when the virus first hit the state, but said continued vigilance is crucial.

“We’re nowhere near where we were in the spring,” Saul said. “But we need to continue to be as careful as we’ve been all along.”

Kumar and Saul said they know a lot of people have “pandemic fatigue” and it’s hard for them to avoid going out, particularly when the holidays approach.

But they said state residents need to remain strong.

“We know the pandemic is taking a toll,” Kumar said. “Be patient at this time. It’s not a good idea to have a significant spread in Connecticut.”

The concern over rising COVID numbers has been significant enough that Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that the entire state will revert to Phase 2 of reopening, effective 12: 01 a. m. Friday. This means, among other things, indoor seating capacity at restaurants will be reduced to 50 percent, compared to the 75 percent indoor capacity allowed in Phase 3.

Groups will be limited to eight people per table while sitting indoors at restaurants, which will be required to close its dining areas by 9: 30 p. m. Takeout and delivery will still be allowed after that time.

The Connecticut Restaurant Association has already raised concerns about the 9: 30 p. m. closing time, stating that without increased financial assistance from the state, the new hours could “be the final straw for many Connecticut small businesses already just barely keeping their doors open.”

However, James Watson, a spokesman for the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said in an emailed statement Tuesday that the rollback was done with both economic and physical health in mind.

“All these decisions are made with the goal of keeping our economy open to the maximum extent possible while keeping our residents and workers safe,” he said.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health experts said they are saddened, but not shocked, by the fact that COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in the state.