CT COVID-19 Positivity Rate Jumps to 9.14%; 40 New Deaths Reported

Connecticut's COVID-19 positivity rate came in at 9.14% Wednesday, a jump from the 5.64% reported the day before.

There were 18,548 tested reported, of which 1,696 came back positive. Forty new deaths were reported, bringing the death toll to 5,964.

Earlier in the day, Gov. Ned Lamont gave an update Wednesday on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Connecticut and the state’s response efforts and said COVID-19 hospitalizations are down and 54,727 doses of vaccines have been administered.

Hospitalizations are down by 59, with 1,167 currently hospitalized with the virus.

On Tuesday, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate was 5.64 percent, down from 6.05 percent the day before.

The governor said Wednesday that Connecticut is on track to complete phase 1A of COVID-19 vaccinations by the end of January and Phase 1B guidance is expected next week.

Gov. Ned Lamont said Wednesday the number of COVID-related hospitalizations has been flat over the past month.

The state is number one in the northeast and sixth nationally. Lamont said.

The governor previously said the state's positivity rate was holding relatively stable, but that officials were worried that holiday gatherings could cause another surge in cases. Officials are urging the public to celebrate only with those in your household this year. If you did attend a holiday gathering, you are encouraged to get tested.

"This is no excuse to let our guard down now and go backwards," Lamont said.

Unlike New Year’s Eve in past years, liquor establishments still need to close at 10 p.m., according to the state Department of Consumer Protection.

The governor said Wednesday that fines will be levied in the event that rules are not followed.

Deidre Gifford, the acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health, was asked about the new variant of the coronavirus, which has been detected in Colorado, and she advised people to continue adhering to safety precautions, including wearing a mask and social distancing.

Gifford is encouraging residents to get vaccinated when they are eligible.

State officials were asked about testing and they said priority testing will be coming for teachers and childcare providers and the details will be released soon.