Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday that the state of Connecticut's COVID-19 positivity rate is .75 percent, down from 1.45 percent Tuesday.
A week has passed since the state loosened its coronavirus pandemic restrictions and Lamont held a news conference on Wednesday afternoon to give an update on COVID-19 in Connecticut, saying the infection rate is low, the vaccination rate is high.
After urging people to stay home during the pandemic, he and other state leaders are encouraging Connecticut residents to help the local economy.
"I have spent the last year-plus saying, "stay safe, stay home." Today, he is telling people to get out of the house, enjoy Hartford, get on a plane, go to a restaurant or a hotel.
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"This is a time where Connecticut is open, ready for business and we want you coming back," Lamont said.
On May 19, Lamont lifted many pandemic restrictions and the state ended the indoor mask mandate for people who are fully vaccinated, with some exceptions, including health care facilities, facilities housing vulnerable populations, public and private transit, correctional facilities, schools and childcare.
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Connecticut Economic and Community Development Commissioner David Lehman addressed the "back to normal index" and said Wednesday that Connecticut's economic activity according to the recent data was 92 of pre-pandemic levels, and 19th overall in the country. He added that the state needs to get to and beyond 100 percent.
The state has regained 60 to 70 percent of the jobs lost due to the pandemic. He said more than 100,000 people are still out of work and estimated the number to be around 170,000.
