The latest about COVID in Conn.

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

Lamont discusses protocol for students returning home

Gov. Ned Lamont said discussions among the region’s governors over the weekend focused on creating a policy requiring college students going home for the holidays to get COVID-19 tests before and after they return home.

No other staff members on gov’s team has tested positive

No one else on Lamont’s staff other than Communications Director Max Reiss has tested positive for the virus. Lamont’s chief o

f staff and chief operating officer are still waiting for their test results.

Lamont requests extension on CT use of National Guard

Lamont sent a letter to President Donald Trump late last week, requesting that he extend his previous authorization for Connecticut to use 400 U.S. National Guard members for six more months.

Trump initially authorized the use of the National Guard in Connecticut in response to the COVID-19 pandemic through Dec. 31. In his letter, Lamont asked Trump to extend that authorization from Jan. 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021.

Moderna reports vaccine is 94.5 percent effective

Pharmaceutical company, Moderna, announced it’s COVID-19 vaccine trial is showing the dose is 94.5 percent effective against the virus. The company also shared that unlike Pfizer’s vaccine candidate, Moderna’s is easier to store. CNN reported that Moderna chairman and company co-founder, Noubar Afeya, finds that the vaccine seems to protect people most at risk — the elderly and people of color. Results are not showing a difference in results among the subgroups participating.

Stop & Shop pharmacies to offer testing

The Stop & Shop corporation announced its partnership with Quest Diagnostics to offer COVID-19 testing in more than 60 of its pharmacies across Connecticut.

UConn reports 17 new cases since Friday

The University of Connecticut reported 17 new coronavirus cases Monday, seven among off-campus students, 10 among those living on campus.

Connecticut reports 4,639 new COVID cases and nearly 100 new hospitalizations

The state of Connecticut announced 4,639 new coronavirus cases since Friday, 98 new hospitalizations, 22 more deaths and a positivity rate of 5.4 percent.

Elaine Thompson / Associated Press Seattle firefighter Bill Dennis reaches in to take a sample from a passenger in a car at a free COVID testing site on Oct. 23 in Seattle. The United States is approaching a record for the number of new daily coronavirus cases in the latest ominous sign about the disease’s grip on the nation, as states from Connecticut to Idaho reel under the surge.