CT COVID Positivity Rate Down to 4.37%, 17 More Deaths Reported

The state's COVID-19 positivity rate once again decreased, this time to 4.37%, as 17 more deaths were reported since Wednesday.

There is now a total of 6,553 COVID-related deaths.

Of over 22,000 tests performed, 968 came back positive.

The state's 7-day rolling positivity rate average is 7% and is relatively steady, but trending upwards a bit, according to Gov. Ned Lamont.

Hospitalizations are down by 30, bringing the state's total to 1,118.

During his press briefing Thursday afternoon, Governor Ned Lamont unveiled additional details about how residents ages 75 and older can schedule COVID-19 vaccine appointments.

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Connecticut has entered the first part of Phase 1b of the vaccine rollout, allowing residents age 75 years and older to get vaccinated.

People who are 75 years old and up who have an email address and the ability to schedule an appointment online can schedule through the online Vaccine Administration Management System (VAMS).

They can also call 877-918-2224 to make an appointment. State officials ask that only people 75 and up call the number, as they are expecting a high call volume.

The governor also announced earlier Thursday that the state of Connecticut will expand phase 1b of the coronavirus vaccine plan in the coming weeks to include people who are 65 and over as well as residents who have underlying health conditions that put them at greater risk of the virus.

"We can only give out as many vaccines as we have dosages," Acting Department of Health Commissioner Diedre Gifford said. "Please be patient. It will take time for us to get to the other members of phase 1b."

Phase 1b will account for approximately 1.3 million Connecticut residents, which is nearly half of the state's population. As of now, the state will receive 46,000 vaccine doses per week.

State officials warn that vaccine rollout will take time.

"There will be enough vaccine eventually and we ask that you be patient," Gifford said during a press conference on Thursday.

Vaccine Distribution Update

A total of 171,035 people have received the COVID-19 vaccine in Connecticut.

Of that number, nearly 155,000 were first doses and over 16,000 were second doses, according to the governor.

Lamont said Connecticut is number 5 nationally in terms of vaccine rollout. Because of this, federal officials are giving the state an additional 50,000 doses next week.

Starting next week, a mass vaccination site will open at Rentschler Field in East Hartford. People with appointments will be able to receive the vaccine at that time.

Early data released form phase one and two trials of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine show that it appears to be safe and generates an immune response