Hospitalizations up, positivity rate down

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

Coronavirus cases continue to climb even as positivity rate slightly decreases

Connecticut health officials on Tuesday reported 1,702 new cases of COVID-19. The results came from 32,964 new tests for a daily positivity rate of 5.16 percent. The total number of tests for the virus conducted in the state has now surpassed 2.8 million.

Hospitalizations for the disease also increased, with 20 more patients, bringing the total number hospitalized in Connecticut to 777. A dozen more deaths attributed to the illness were also reported from the previous day, bringing Connecticut’s death toll to 4,771.

Study: Data shows coronavirus immunity can last months

How long does someone stay immune after recovering from the novel coronavirus? While health authorities have recorded instances where a patient has caught the disease a second time, a new study published Monday suggests the body’s immune response to the virus sticks around for several months, maybe years. The study, which has not yet been peer reviewed or published in a scientific journal, involved 185 people who had COVID-19.

Branford lab gets FDA emergency approval to supply saliva-based COVID-19 tests

Branford-based Wren Laboratories developed a saliva-based COVID-19 test that has been approved for emergency use by the FDA. The saliva test kits are self-administered and provide results within 24 hours. The test has a 12month shelf life.

Stop & Shop to provide COVID-19 vaccines when available in CT

Stop & Shop will be among the first pharmacies in the nation to provide future COVID-19 vaccinations, once a vaccine is authorized or approved for use in the United States, the grocery chain has announced.

New guidelines for college students returning home

Gov. Ned Lamont announced new guidelines for college students who return home for the holiday break. Students are asked to selfquarantine for 14 days before or after coming home, and those flying back must get tested before leaving school and after arriving home.

John Moore / Getty Images A “prone team,” wearing personal protective equipment, prepares to turn a COVID-19 patient onto his stomach at Stamford Hospital earlier this year.