Phase 3 on as COVID-19 rate climbs
The state’s Phase 3 reopening is still on, despite the infection rate climbing to 1.8 percent for the third day in a row.
This is well below the national average, but still “concerning” because the state had been under 1 percent for months, the governor said. Meanwhile, communities in the New York City area have seen spikes, he said.
“I hope we haven’t seen this movie before, but it’s something we’re paying particular attention to,” Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday during his daily news briefing.
The state reported three additional deaths and 192 more cases on Thursday, bringing fatalities to 4,511 and cases to
57,742. Hospitalizations are up to
107, an increase of three patients since Wednesday. This is far below the 1,922 peak on April 22, but higher than in midsummer, when it ranged from the low 40s to 70.
“Depending on what happens, we’re prepared to move quickly and make sure there is bed capacity as needed,” Lamont said.
Nuvance Health has created a 100-page guidebook detailing what the hospitals learned and what to do differently if there is an influx of patients, said Dr. John Murphy, president and CEO of the network, which includes Danbury, Norwalk, New Milford and Sharon hospitals.
The hospitals have started to stockpile personnel protective
equipment — even getting fined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for jamming their warehouses, Murphy said.
“I’m proud actually of that one,” he said Thursday during a panel with health care leaders hosted by Quinnipiac University.
Jeffrey Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare, said he expects the health care system to change for the better because of the pandemic. Telehealth has improved, while the crisis has emphasized the need to better address inequities in health care, he said.
“In health care, I certainly hope we never return to normal,” Flaks said. “We’re going to be better than normal. We’ve learned a tremendous amount in this crisis.”
Balancing Phase 3 reopening
In Eastern Connecticut, Norwich has become a hot spot, with a positivity rate of 6.7 percent. The state is bringing in resources for additional testing and tracing, as occurred when Danbury had an outbreak in August.
A nursing home in Colchester also saw an outbreak, with 40 people, including 32 residents, testing positive.
An uptick in cases had been expected around October and November and with flu season.
“That’s why we’re taking this very cautiously,” Lamont said.
But he said he does not yet see a reason to hold off on plans to allow restaurants to open Oct. 8 with 75 percent capacity indoors and to increase limits in indoor and outdoor gatherings.
Restaurants have been open for outdoor dining and at 50 percent indoor capacity for months, so he does not see them as the reason for the latest outbreaks.
“I don’t see a cause and effect,” Lamont said.
But he said he could change his mind if the infection rate rises to 4 to 5 percent.
“If I saw more Norwiches happening with that hockey stick increase, I would definitely look at it,” Lamont said.
On the Quinnpiac panel, Lamont said it was unclear why the state’s infection rate is rising. He told the health care leaders he would rely on their partnership.
“I need you guys on the front lines to give me a better idea of what’s going on,” he said.
Lamont said schools have reopened fairly successfully. Nearly 40 percent of elementary schools, 28 percent of middle schools and 14.6 percent of high schools are fully in person.
Over the last week, 133 students and staff have tested positive for the virus.
“That did not happen in school,” Lamont said. “That did not happen in the classroom. That happened off campus, so to speak, maybe a party, maybe some sports. Perhaps the classroom is one of the safest places you can be.”