Coronavirus Outbreak

New COVID-19 vaccine booster shots could soon be available in the United States. They’ll target the original strain of the virus plus two Omicron subvariants, including BA.5 which makes up about 90% of cases in the country right now. The White House COVID Coordinator spoke with NBC News’ Lester Holt. “The bottom line is that this virus has evolved substantially…

A woman accused of fraudulently issuing over a dozen COVID-19 vaccination cards has pleaded guilty, according to the Dept. of Justice. Officials said 25-year-old Zaya Powell, of Waterbury, pleaded guilty to a false statement offense relating to the creation of false vaccine cards. Court documents show that Powell worked as a data entry specialist for Griffin Health and traveled to…

Connecticut’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 12.07% over the last week and there have been an additional 34 COVID-19-associated deaths, according to the governor’s office. Gov. Ned Lamont’s office releases the information each Thursday and said there were 4,849 positive cases out of 40,165 tests over the last week. There are currently 325 patients with COVID-19 in a hospital, a net…

Sen. Richard Blumenthal announced that he’s tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday. In a tweet, the senator said he’ll be working remotely for the week. He said he isn’t experiencing any symptoms at this time. He’s fully vaccinated and boosted. “If you haven’t gotten your shot or booster yet, make an appointment today!” Blumenthal said.

Some parents have waited a long time for the moment when infants and toddlers can get vaccinated against COVID-19. “We’re more exclusive about who can come over to our house and be inside with us, and where we meet up with people and how many people that is,” said Caitlin Griffin, mom to eight-month-old Davin. She got her vaccination...

The CDC has approved the covid vaccine for children 5 and under. Parents’ opinions about getting their kids vaccinated vary, from caution to excitement.

Connecticut’s seven-day rolling COVID-19 positivity rate slightly increased Tuesday and is above 7.5%. State data shows that the positivity rate currently stands at 7.69%, which is an increase of 0.12% since Monday. Gov. Ned Lamont’s office said there were 3,482 positive tests out of 45,261 in the last week and the number of people hospitalized is 282. The number of patients decreased…

Connecticut’s seven-day rolling COVID-19 positivity rate on Monday is below 8%. State data shows that the positivity rate currently stands at 7.57%, which is a decrease of 1.22% since Thursday. Gov. Ned Lamont office said there were 3,588 positive tests out of 47,420 in the last week and the number of people hospitalized is 265. The number of patients decreased by…

Connecticut’s seven-day rolling COVID-19 positivity rate on Thursday is below 9%. State data shows that the positivity rate currently stands at 8.81%. Gov. Ned Lamont office said there were 3,219 positive tests out of 36,518 in the last week and the number of people hospitalized is 282. The number of patients decreased by 29 since last week. There’s now 10,999…

Connecticut’s 7-day rolling COVID-19 positivity rate is up slightly at 11.16%. Thursday’s positivity rate was 10.83%, according to the governor’s office. A total of 32,649 tests have been reported in the last week, and 3,643 were positive, according to state data. There are 329 people hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout the state. The most recent COVID-19 death toll in the state…

Connecticut’s daily COVID-19 positivity rate is 3.35% down from Tuesday’s 3.65%. According to Governor Ned Lamont’s office,13,654 tests have been reported since Tuesday and 458 were positive. There are 98 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 throughout the state, down three since Tuesday. Of the 98 patients hospitalized, 28 (28.6%) are not fully vaccinated, according to officials. For a breakdown of state…

Mask wearing in Waterbury Public Schools is now optional come March 7, according to a notice sent out by Dr. Verna Ruffin, Waterbury’s superintendent. According to the release, masks are still recommended, however, the decision is optional starting Monday for students and staff within school buildings and individuals who use bus transportation. “We will continue to show mutual respect and…

The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference (CIAC) will no longer be requiring student-athletes to wear face masks while competing or practicing. Starting Feb. 28, the CIAC will not require masks at any indoor or outdoor practices or competitions. Student-athletes, coaches, officials, game workers and spectators are expected to follow mask requirements issued by the facilities in which events occur. “The CIAC…

Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist with the Yale School of Medicine, has been researching the potential long-term effects of getting COVID-19. In a recent study, Iwasaki has discovered that even people with mild symptoms can sometimes suffer long-term neurological damage. NBC Connecticut’s Dan Corcoran spoke with her about the issue. Dan: “So you’ve been doing a lot of research...

Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, an immunologist with the Yale School of Medicine has been researching potential long-term effects of getting COVID-19.

Doctors at Connecticut’s two largest health care systems say they believe the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic might be peaking in the state. NBC Connecticut’s Dan Corcoran spoke with Dr. Howard Forman, a professor of public health at Yale University, on the issue. Dan: When you look at the numbers from today and yesterday, do you think that...

Earlier this week, the president made an announcement regarding how some employees will receive Covid-19 testing. Starting Saturday, private insurance companies have to cover the cost of at-home Covid-19 tests for their members. But how will it work? Most people with private health insurance will be able to be reimbursed for up to eight at-home Covid-19 tests per month. The…

Several COVID-19 testing sites are closed Tuesday because of bitter cold temps. The feel-like temperatures will be between 0 and negative 20. High temps will only range from about 7 degrees in the hills to 13 in Hartford to 17 in New Haven, but the breeze will make it feel much colder. COVID-19 testing at 1161 Albany Ave. in Hartford…

With recent plans announced to distribute masks and tests in schools, many Connecticut child care providers were left wondering when they might be able to get those supplies to better protect the very young kids in their care.

With recent plans announced to distribute face masks and COVID-19 tests in schools, many Connecticut child care providers were left wondering when they might be able to get those supplies to better protect the very young kids in their care. Now they have an answer: Tuesday. Child care centers are the next recipients of these coveted COVID-19 supplies. At Bristol…