Tougher vaccine trial standards set

Here are the most important things to know about the coronavirus in Connecticut:

136 new cases since yesterday

On Tuesday, the state of Connecticut announced 136 new cases since Monday, one more death and two more hospitalizations. The positivity rate (the percentage of total tests that are positive) has stabilized at a 1.2 percent rate since Sept. 18.

U.S. death toll surpasses 200,000

COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 200,000 Americans. The death toll is equivalent to having the 9/11 attacks every day for 66 days, according to CNN.

FDA to announce tougher standards for vaccine trials

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is expected to announce stricter-than-usual standards for emergency authorization when it comes to a coronavirus vaccine, as The Washington Post reported. The new standards — intended to boost public confidence, according to The Post — will force vaccine manufacturers to follow participants in the trial for a minimum of two months after a second vaccine shot.

Gov. Lamont creates a vaccine advisory board

Although a vaccine has not been approved yet for distribution, Gov. Ned Lamont has created a vaccine advisory board to plan for when one is available. The board is co-chaired by Dr. Deidre Gifford, acting Public Health commissioner, and Dr. Reginald Eadie, president and CEO of Trinity Health of New England. Vaccine experts and providers, as well as state representatives, local legislators and emergency management officials will be on the board.

Children fight off COVID better than adults, according to Yale study

A study released from Yale finds that children have a more effective immune response to COVID-19 than adults. Adults are more prone to develop acute respiratory distress syndrome, the need for ventilation, and mortality from the virus. Children have higher levels of immune system molecules--interleukin 17A (IL-17A) and interferon gamma (INF-g)-- that help fight off infection and combat viral replication.