Gov. Ned Lamont said the state's COVID-19 positivity rate is 1.4%, which is one of the lowest in the country, but up from what it was a couple of months ago.
The state reported an additional 1,066 positive COVID-19 cases since Friday. With 77,261 tests performed, that is a 1.4% positivity rate.
Hospitalizations have increased by 21, bringing the state's total to 155.
Two more deaths have been reported. The death toll is now 4,532.
He made the announcement in New London for old a news conference and said the state is going to start releasing a COVID-19 infection map of the state on Thursdays to show where cities and towns stand.
He will also be issuing an executive order that will give mayors the power to determine whether their city or town will be in Phase 3 of reopening, which the state is in now, or roll back to Phase 2, which called for lower capacity at some businesses.
He also said the state has a three-month supply of personal protective equipment to be prepared for what could be coming.
Local
The governor was joined by the acting commissioner of the Department of Public Health, Dr. Deidre Gifford, to encourage people in New London to be tested for coronavirus and to remain vigilant by adhering to safety protocols.
Gifford said they are seeing spread from carpooling as people take their masks off in a vehicle; in the lunchroom, where people remove masks to eat; and from family gatherings.
New London has seen a recent spike in COVID-19 cases. The Department of Public Health issued a COVID-19 alert for New London last week.
Lamont and the commissioner were at the Community Health Center of New London for the briefing at 2 p.m.
New London Mayor Michael Passero said they are ramping up testing in the community and hundreds of people have been showing up to get tested each day.
“People are understanding the importance of knowing their status in order to protect themselves and the community,” he said.
He added that the community is setting up distance learning pods to help students who need a safe place to go.
‘This is an effort that requires the entire community,” Passero said.
Stephen Mansfield, the director of health for the Ledge Light Health Center, said they reached out to the state Department of Public Health for help when they looked at the data and saw the spike.
Testing is important, Gifford said, but that alone will not turn the corner and break the chain of transmission.
She urged people to wear a mask, limit social gatherings and wear a mask when you are with people other than who you live with.
If you have been exposed, stay home for 14 days and stay home if you are positive, Gifford urged.
