White House warns CT privately COVID-19 risk at ‘historic high’
WASHINGTON — A private report from the White House Coronavirus Task Force issued last week to Gov. Ned Lamont warned that COVID-19 risk was at a “historic high” and the federal government considered the state to be in the “red zone” due to high rates of new cases.
“We share the strong concern of Connecticut leaders that the current situation is critical and that the population and health care system must do everything possible to prepare for and limit a post-Thanksgiving resurgence,” the White House Coronavirus Task Force wrote in a report dated Nov. 29 and made public by the Center for Public Integrity.
“Improved public observance of social distancing measures is urgently needed to limit overrunning hospital capacity and additional preventable deaths,” the Task Force wrote. “Limiting travel throughout the next several weeks is an additional key mitigation measure this holiday season as the spread across jurisdictions make control measures much more difficult and leads to additional outbreaks. The governor’s continued personal guidance and forward leaning positions on these measures are critical and commended.”
As the virus surges around the country, on Monday Connecticut health officials reported 8,129 new cases of COVID-19 over the weekend. The state conducted 123,021 tests for a daily positivity rate of 6.61 percent. Hospitalizations rose again after sinking in recent days, with 33 more patients hospitalized for the illness bringing the statewide total to 1,183.
Last week, despite winning a spot in the red zone, Connecticut fell below the national average of new cases per 100,000 people, the Task Force found. The state had 312 new cases per 100,000 people, compared to the average of 349 per 100,000.
Connecticut had the 31st highest rate of new cases per 100,000 population, the Task Force reported. The state between 8 and 10 percent of people tested for the virus were confirmed positive — the 32nd highest in the nation, the Task Force said. Connecticut was also placed in the red zone for coronavirus deaths, ranking at 22nd highest in the nation. North Dakota and South Dakota topped the list of highest levels of new cases and new deaths.
Warning that “we are in a very dangerous place,” the report advised Connecticut residents age 65 and older or with health conditions should not enter any indoor public spaces where anyone is unmasked and they should have their groceries and medications delivered. It also said individuals under 40 who gathered with others outside their household for Thanksgiving should isolate and get tested.
The White House has said it does not share these COVID-19 reports publicly because it wants states to lead the pandemic response. It has issued 24 such reports to states during the pandemic. Their recommendations are non-binding.
The Task Force is lead by Vice President Mike Pence, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar, White House Coronavirus Task Force Advisor Deborah Birx, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci and others. The task force has held 43 briefings to advise governors during the pandemic.
The Task Force recommended that Connecticut amp up local messaging about mask wearing, physical distancing, hand hygiene and holding activities outside.
It also recommended that the state increase proactive weekly testing testing of community groups like teachers, government workers and essential workers to get ahead of outbreaks. While the Task Force urged schools to stay open, it said states should use rapid testing to test teachers regularly and universities should have mandatory weekly testing.
Hospital admissions for all age groups in Connecticut have increased compared to prior weeks, the Task Force said, and while most hospitals have solid supplies of masks and surgical gowns, about 40 percent of the state’s hospitals have less than a two-week supply of gloves on hand.
Prior to Thanksgiving, Lamont urged residents to celebrate holidays virtually or only with the people in their homes. Private gatherings indoors and outdoors are limited to 10 people.
In early November, Lamont also moved to increase restrictions on business activities in response to the virus. Bars are closed, while other businesses are open with restrictions. Anyone traveling into Connecticut from 48 other states must self-quarantine for 14 days.
Early in the pandemic, Lamont ordered that masks must be worn in public, indoors or outdoors.
In response to climbing hospitalizations and increasing community transmission, parts of California have recently implemented new stay-at-home orders and Ohio added a curfew. New Mexico, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Massachusetts have stay-at-home advisories in place, according to the New York Times.