The state’s test positivity rate climbed to 6.5 percent as deaths and hospitalizations also continue to rise ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
About 96% of Connecticut towns are under Red Alert status as COVID-19 numbers continue to rise across the state.
There are now 145 towns under Red Alert. That is an increase from last week in which 100 towns, or about 80%, were considered Red Alert towns.
The town's below are under Orange Alert.
- Avon
- Barkhamsted
- Bolton
- Canton
- Columbia
- Ellington
- Granby
- Simsbury
- Stafford
- Thompson
- Winchester
The towns below are not under either Red or Orange Alert:
- Bridgewater
- Canaan
- Colebrook
- Cornwall
- Eastford
- Hartland
- Lyme
- Norfolk
- Scotland
- Sharon
- Union
- Voluntown
- Warren
All other Connecticut towns not listed are under Red Alert.
The state has started a color-coded alert system that places each city and town in a category based on its COVID-19 rate. Red is the highest alert level.
For a town to be considered under Red Alert, they have to be reporting 15 cases per 100,000 residents.
New COVID-19 Numbers
The state's COVID-19 positivity rate went up to 6.5% and hospitalizations are the highest they've been since May 20.
There are now 840 total hospitalizations. That is a net increase of 24 since Wednesday.
With 21 more deaths being reported overnight, the death toll is now 4,805. The seven-day positivity rate average is 5.8%.
Gov. Ned Lamont called Thursday's COVID-19 numbers "disturbing."
Connecticut has had more than 99,000 cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic and the governor said the state will likely be heading to 100,000 cumulative cases by the weekend.
Nearly three million tests have been performed in Connecticut since the virus emerged in March.
On Wednesday, the state’s COVID-19 positivity rate was 5.98%.
"Our COVID cases are ramping up," Lamont said earlier this week.
The governor said he spoke with the retail association this morning and the state is doing everything they can to keep retail open.
Lamont said gyms and indoor dining would be among the first places subject to additional restrictions.
"What we are trying to do when it comes to gyms and restaurants… Look, we’re watching them carefully," Lamont said. He hopes that implementing a 10 p.m. curfew will make a difference.
Holiday Recommendations
The governor is recommending that Connecticut families keep their Thanksgiving group small and keep it to only your immediate family.
Lamont is urging those who plan to go shopping on Black Friday to plan ahead for lines and maximize curbside pickup services.
For stores, the governor is advising flexible hours and dedicated time for seniors to shop. Also, he said stores should consider additional staff and security.
Residents are being advised to quarantine for 14 days either prior to or after any Thanksgiving travel, the governor said.
Even if test results come back negative, people should still quarantine for 14 days. Lamont said residents should also avoid quarantining with family members who are at high risk.
People are asked to avoid large gatherings and reunions by limiting private gatherings to 10 people this Thanksgiving.
Lamont said those who are over 60 years old or those who are high risk should consider staying home as much as possible.
Pause for All Team Sports
The governor announced that all team sports will be canceled through mid-January.
So far, there have been 17 school closures due to sport team contacts, according to Lamont.
A total of 29 COVID-19 outbreaks have been attributed to sports teams and 235 teachers have had to quarantine due to a sports team member.
The Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference is postponing winter sports through Jan. 19. This comes after the state laid out new rules in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
All club and other team sports must pause all activities until Jan. 19. This will become effective Monday, Nov. 23, and does not apply to college or professional sports, the governor said.
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"Whatever restrictions we have to take, we're doing it so we can keep our schools open," Lamont said in a video tweeted Wednesday.
The governor has been in self-quarantine “out of an abundance of caution” after his director of communications tested positive for coronavirus.
