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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Governor Lamont Update.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>mvcmelley@gmail.com<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b>From:</b> Sigman, Brian <Brian.Sigman@ct.gov> <br><b>Sent:</b> Friday, December 18, 2020 8:48 AM<br><b>To:</b> DORS-DL BESB <DORS-DLBESB@ct.gov><br><b>Subject:</b> FW: GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:0in;line-height:normal'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>From: Sullivan, Kathleen <<a href="mailto:Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov">Kathleen.Sullivan@ct.gov</a>> <br>Sent: Friday, December 18, 2020 7:14 AM<br><br>Subject: FW: GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT'S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#002060;letter-spacing:1.2pt'>Please share with our partners</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='margin-bottom:12.0pt;text-align:center'><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fct.gov%2Fgovernor&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421577933%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=8MbJqp13xwW6o4KPv%2B6zdMNN3ZyLayVkqIeT6Y0EK0A%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=624 height=178 style='width:6.5in;height:1.8583in' id="Picture_x0020_9" src="cid:image012.jpg@01D6D529.38ABD8D0" alt="Header Image: Office of Governor Ned Lamont"></span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>GOVERNOR LAMONT PROVIDES UPDATE ON CONNECTICUT’S CORONAVIRUS RESPONSE EFFORTS<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><i><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Latest Data as of 5:00PM on Thursday, December 17, 2020<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FDh9N8hM8ykU&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421587890%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=sUu9K1MiQwaRxEY%2B6B439OHQbPjtgRYOyDPGBumKRBE%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=560 height=315 style='width:5.8333in;height:3.2833in' id="Picture_x0020_2" src="cid:image004.jpg@01D6D496.05173C00" alt="A picture containing text, monitor, television, screen
Description automatically generated"></span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>(HARTFORD, CT) – As the State of Connecticut continues taking actions in response to the global spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Governor Ned Lamont provided the following updates as of 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 17, 2020:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Data updates on testing in Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The following is a summary of the day-to-day newly reported data on cases, deaths, and tests in Connecticut. It is important to note that these newly reported updates include data that occurred over the last several days to a week. All data in this report are preliminary, and data for previous dates will be updated as new reports are received and data errors are corrected.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;background:#D0CECE;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Overall <span style='color:black'>Summary</span><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#D0CECE;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Total</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#D0CECE;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Change Since Yesterday</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>COVID-19 Cases (confirmed and probable)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>160,102<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>+2,321<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>COVID-19 Tests Reported (molecular and antigen)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>3,896,941<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>+35,948<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Daily Test Positivity<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>--<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>6.46%<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1,205<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>-49<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=318 valign=top style='width:238.25pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>COVID-19 Associated Deaths<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=156 valign=top style='width:117.0pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>5,552<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=150 valign=top style='width:112.25pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>+46<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>County-by-county breakdown of current COVID-19 hospitalizations:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;background:#D0CECE;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-left:none;background:#D0CECE;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:black'>Current COVID-19 Hospitalizations</span></b><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Fairfield County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>296<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Hartford County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>375<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Litchfield County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>21<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Middlesex County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>41<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>New Haven County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>382<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>New London County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>76<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Tolland County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>0<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Windham County<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>14<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr><tr><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-top:none;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Total<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td><td width=312 valign=top style='width:233.75pt;border-top:none;border-left:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.0pt;border-right:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>1,205<o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For a series of interactive graphs and maps that provide additional data, including metrics related to age, gender, and race/ethnicity, as well as data broken down by every town and city in Connecticut, visit <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fct.gov%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421587890%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=%2B8TCfFna7HsOa0EcJlBiQz9P1fCyCz0vtrLMuQGq%2FLc%3D&reserved=0">ct.gov/coronavirus</a> and click the link that is labeled, “Data Tracker.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Data updates on vaccine distribution in Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>As of today, a total of 1,982 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in Connecticut. All of the doses so far in this first week of vaccinations have been administered to those in the healthcare workforce.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Vaccinations for those within Connecticut’s nursing homes will begin on Friday, December 18.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Weekly update on the impact of COVID-19 on nursing homes and assisted living facilities<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The following documents contain the weekly data regarding each of the nursing homes and assisted living facilities in Connecticut that have reported positive cases of COVID-19 among their residents. The data is presented as it was reported to the state by each of the facilities. If a facility is not listed, that means it is reporting that it does not have any residents who have tested positive.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=623 valign=top style='width:467.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>**<i>Download</i>: <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/News/20201217-Nursing-Homes-with-COVID-19.pdf">Report from December 17, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut nursing homes</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>**<i>Download</i>: <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Office-of-the-Governor/News/20201217-Assisted-Living-Facilities-with-COVID-19.pdf">Report from December 17, 2020 on COVID-19 in Connecticut assisted living facilities</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Weekly update of the Department of Public Health’s COVID-19 Alert Map: 166 municipalities now in red<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Connecticut Department of Public Health today released its weekly <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker">COVID-19 Alert Map</a>, which indicates that 166 of 169 towns and cities in Connecticut are now in the red zone alert level, the highest of the state’s four alert levels.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The only municipalities in the state that are not in the red zone this week are Barkhamsted, Canaan, and Warren.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The red zone indicates municipalities that have an average daily COVID-19 case rate over the last two weeks of greater than 15 per 100,000 population. The orange zone indicates those that have case rates between 10 to 14 cases per 100,000 population. The yellow zone indicates municipalities that have case rates between 5 and 9 per 100,000 population, and those indicated in gray have case rates lower than five per 100,000 population.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The weekly alert map is also accompanied by <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DPH/Communications/Graphics/COVID-chart.jpg">a chart that provides guidance</a> on recommended actions based on the alert levels for individual residents; institutions such as schools, houses of worship, and community organizations; as well as municipal leaders and local health directors.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The COVID-19 Alert Map is updated every Thursday around 4:00 p.m. and can be found in the <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/COVID-19-Data-Tracker">Data Tracker page</a> of the state’s coronavirus website at <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus">ct.gov/coronavirus</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Lamont administration notifies municipalities on updates to distribution of COVID-19 relief funds<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Lamont administration has delivered a <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/OPM/Coronavirus/122020-Muni-CRF-Program-Letter.pdf">letter</a> to all municipal chief elected officials in Connecticut notifying them that the state will be increasing the levels of financial aid being sent to towns and cities to supplement their response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The funding comes from the state’s Coronavirus Relief Fund, which utilizes federal funding made available through the CARES Act. These changes will reimburse municipalities for their reported and audited costs, establish a grant program for the municipalities, and assist municipalities by offsetting costs related to COVID-19 testing.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>To date, the Connecticut Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has reimbursed municipalities for all reported claims through June 30, 2020, for a total of approximately $14.5 million from the Connecticut Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund Program. Notably, the actual incurred expenses through June 30 were significantly lower than municipalities originally estimated. The program originally was structured to provide funds on a reimbursement basis after the processing of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) claims. Due to the time delays in FEMA claims processing, and to maximize support to municipalities, OPM will be immediately providing a direct $45.5 million allocation of the program’s funds to support municipalities with their costs for the period between July 1 and December 30, 2020.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“We have been and remain committed to assisting our municipalities as they confront the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Governor Lamont said. “Federal law has prevented us from being able to make up for their revenue losses, and our reimbursement program was simply moving too slowly for the cities and towns to be able to benefit from the amount we set aside earlier this year to help with the costs we know they are experiencing. The CARES Act requires the Coronavirus Relief Fund amounts are committed by December 30, and to allow municipalities the ability to benefit from the $75 million allocated this summer, changes were required. We remain hopeful there will be additional federal support to help our local governments through this difficult time.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“The COVID-19 crisis has required state and municipal governments to be flexible and implement paradigm-changing thinking since it arrived in Connecticut,” OPM Secretary Melissa McCaw said. “This summer we set aside $75 million to reimburse the municipalities for their COVID-19 related costs, but the FEMA processing time was not going to allow us to get all of that money to the municipalities without action by the state. As a result, we are establishing a new allocation program with expanded allowable uses to get this essential money into our localities and expanding the scope of the state’s testing program to include local educators and school staff to help offset those costs that the municipalities may incur. I know how valuable this level of assistance is to maintaining operations for our cities and towns and it was incumbent upon to make the necessary changes to get these federal dollars out.”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>In summary, the Connecticut Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund Program funds of $75 million will be distributed as follows:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Reimbursed claims through June 30, 2020: $14.5 million<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Final allocation with expanded usage: $45.5 million<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo3'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Regional testing opportunities for municipal teachers and staff: $15 million<o:p></o:p></span></b></li></ul><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>The Municipal Coronavirus Relief Fund grants of $45,498,170 will be allotted based on the population formula below. (For a town-by-town allotment, <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/OPM/Coronavirus/122020-Muni-CRF-Program-Letter.pdf">click here</a>.)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><ul style='margin-top:0in' type=disc><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>33 percent population density<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>33 percent population / Adjusted Equalized Net Grand List per capita<o:p></o:p></span></b></li><li class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo6'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>34 percent population<o:p></o:p></span></b></li></ul><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Testing has been critical to slow the spread of coronavirus and mitigate its threat to public health, particularly for the most at-risk populations and our educational system. Therefore $15 million of the $75 million allocation has been reserved to expand regional testing opportunities for teachers and staff to mitigate this expense for LEA’s and municipalities and provide increased support for safe operations of Connecticut’s schools.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><div align=center><table class=MsoNormalTable border=0 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 style='border-collapse:collapse'><tr><td width=623 valign=top style='width:467.5pt;border:solid windowtext 1.0pt;padding:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt'><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>**<i>Download</i>: <a href="https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/OPM/Coronavirus/122020-Muni-CRF-Program-Letter.pdf">Letter from the Lamont administration to municipal chief elected officials on COVID-19 response funding for towns and cities</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p></td></tr></table></div><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Providing information to Connecticut residents<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, residents are encouraged to visit <a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fct.gov%2Fcoronavirus&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421597847%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=NH3ivLfUC9K27m8UYlP3VMrxahNkkneNpW1sipwCnQs%3D&reserved=0">ct.gov/coronavirus</a>. Residents can also subscribe to text message alerts from the state by texting the keyword COVIDCT to 888-777.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can call 2-1-1 for assistance. The hotline is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance. Anyone who is out-of-state or requires a toll-free number can connect to Connecticut 2-1-1 by dialing 1-800-203-1234. This is intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms are strongly urged to contact their medical provider.<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing style='text-align:justify'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>###<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>For Immediate Release: December 17, 2020<br>Contact: David Bednarz<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="mailto:David.Bednarz@ct.gov">David.Bednarz@ct.gov</a><br>860-770-9792 (cell)<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><a href="http://www.ct.gov/governor">www.ct.gov/governor</a><br></span></b><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2FGovNedLamont&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421597847%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=c%2FkfW9520E9lKIk1uno0hyicIB8YsY3KDGZtdQm6QI4%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=30 height=30 style='width:.3083in;height:.3083in' id="Picture_x0020_8" src="cid:image013.png@01D6D529.38ABD8D0"></span></b></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FGovNedLamont&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421607803%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=ppQj2BoJIWX0njaW1oJDXkExFae7pW95Zpds5CjzZSc%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=30 height=30 style='width:.3083in;height:.3083in' id="Picture_x0020_7" src="cid:image014.png@01D6D529.38ABD8D0"></span></b></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.instagram.com%2Fgovnedlamont%2F&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421607803%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=nU04qgfZqQ%2B3fQ5Eo72VCXQ3VSMx7ofLLyYK5O44rgc%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=30 height=30 style='width:.3083in;height:.3083in' id="Picture_x0020_6" src="cid:image015.png@01D6D529.38ABD8D0"></span></b></a><a href="https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2FGovNedLamont&data=04%7C01%7CKathleen.Sullivan%40ct.gov%7C2ca51ca01b7a42a1eaf208d8a2dfcead%7C118b7cfaa3dd48b9b02631ff69bb738b%7C0%7C0%7C637438429421617755%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=tK45sKjRwWfu5LyTYVpM%2BRwzywpdk%2B5h4wZk44WQB1k%3D&reserved=0"><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'><img border=0 width=30 height=30 style='width:.3083in;height:.3083in' id="Picture_x0020_5" src="cid:image016.png@01D6D529.38ABD8D0"></span></b></a><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:14.0pt;line-height:105%;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p></div></body></html>