Conn. reports 15 more coronavirus deaths

New York proposes roll back to reopening

Connecticut health officials reported 15 new deaths from coronavirus, even as hospitalizations continued to fall, while New York’s governor threatened to roll back reopening in some areas if businesses and residents continue to ignore restrictions.

Sunday’s 15 new deaths brings the statewide death toll in Connecticut to 4,201.

As of Sunday afternoon, another 94 people tested positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, the state data shows. The new infections bring the total number of cases to 45,088.

Hospitalizations in Connecticut have continued to decline, falling by 28 cases Sunday, with 205 still hospitalized for the illness.

Health care workers in Connecticut performed 4,852 tests, falling after the state reached a new record the day before for the number of tests performed in a single day.

Fairfield and Hartford counties continue to lead the state in the number of cases and deaths, both probable and confirmed through laboratory testing, with New Haven County following closely behind.

As the state looks to begin its second phase of reopening on Wednesday, allowing limited indoor dining as well as gyms and nail salons to reopen among others, Metro-North announced it will dramatically increase train service starting Monday.

The extra capacity will run on the New Haven, Harlem and Hudson lines.

“The increase in service is due to a steady growth in ridership in response to the Phase 1 reopening in New York State,” the railroad said in a statement Sunday. “We will continue to provide hourly service during offpeak periods, on middays, evenings, late nights, weekends and holidays.”

But on Sunday, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo threatened to roll back reopening in some regions if businesses and residents continue to flaunt social distancing rules.

“We’re getting reports from all across the state that there are large gatherings, social distancing is being violated, people are not wearing masks,” said Cuomo. “We have gotten 25,000 complaints to the state of businesses that are in violation of the reopening plan…. we have never received more complaints in a shorter amount of time.”

The New York governor said most of the complaints have come from two regions: Manhattan and The Hamptons, and said videos of people ignoring social distancing rules have been widely shared on social media.

“You don’t need a detective squad to go out and find it,” Cuomo said.

Asked repeatedly by reporters about his threat to roll back reopening in some regions if those violations continue, Cuomo said he would hold off stopping the reopening on a state level, but said he would first “reverse it in those local areas.”

Cuomo also tied his press conference to protests surrounding the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in Minneapolis police custody after a white officer was filmed kneeling on his neck for more than 8 minutes.

Cuomo noted it had been 106 days “since the coronavirus crisis befell New York” and 21 days “since Mr. Floyd’s murder.”

He raised issue with images that have circulated of protesters and police alike not wearing masks during demonstrations.

“Protesters and police, the law applies to you. ‘Well I’m protesting,’ yeah, I understand that. You can protest, the law still applies to you,” Cuomo said. “Police department, your job is to enforce the law. Why don’t you follow the law.”