Hospitals report decrease State parks shut down after reaching capacity

Coronavirus hospitalizations declined again Sunday, Gov. Ned Lamont said, but hundreds of new cases were still reported over the weekend.

There were 446 new cases of the virus in Connecticut as of Sunday afternoon and 18 new deaths. Officials said that 40,468 people have tested positive for the virus and 3,693 people have died since the virus hit Connecticut.

The state reported Sunday that 214,136 residents have been tested for coronavirus.

Fairfield County still leads Connecticut in cases and deaths, with 15,114 confirmed cases and 1,215 deaths. New Haven County reported the second-highest numbers, with 10,905 cases and more than 900 deaths. Hartford County reported 9,686 cases and 1,175 deaths. Windham County has the fewest reported cases with 359 confirmed cases and 14 deaths.

Beautiful weather draws crowds to state parks

Connecticut outdoors aficionados lost no time stepping out into the sunshine and hitting the trails Sunday morning, prompting state officials to close several state parks Sunday.

Sleeping Giant State Park, Wadsworth Falls State Park, C.P. Huntington State Park, Topsmead State Forest, Millers Pond State Park, Talcott Mountain State Park, and Penwood State Park were all closed to new visitors after their parking lots reached capacity Sunday.

Sleeping Giant and Southford Falls State

Parks were both closed shortly after 9 a.m. after reaching capacity early in the day.

The weather forecast and the Memorial Day weekend prompted state officials to encourage residents to seek out less crowded parks. Osbornedale State Park in Derby was also closed because of a law enforcement investigation.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection tweeted Friday “rather than traveling to some of the most popular spots such as Hammonasset Beach State Park, Sleeping Giant State Park, or Bluff Point State Park, try a park close to your home. Be aware that most park and beach facilities do not have open restrooms.”

The department encouraged residents to visit parks only with members of their own household and in groups of five people or fewer. They asked that visitors observe social distancing by keeping six feet between individuals and 15 feet between groups on the beach. Visitors were also encouraged to wear a face covering and bring their own water bottle as water fountains should not be used.

Kathleen McWilliams can be reached at kmcwilliams@ courant.com.