As many anticipated, the coronavirus situation in Connecticut is expanding. More people are getting tested, more people are confirmed to have COVID-19, more deaths are being reported, more executive orders are being issued, and more help is being requested by hospitals.
Our studios are across the street from Saint Francis Hospital’s mobile testing unit and I had to climb to the top floor of our building to see the end of the line of cars.
Earlier this week, the surgeon general warned us that this week was going to get bad. It is.
Here’s the latest on coronavirus in Connecticut:
Topline
- At least 12 people have died from COVID-19.
- Dr. Ajay Kumar, Hartford HealthCare's chief clinical officer, expects to see an increased number of COVID-19 cases over the next 2-3 weeks. But, if residents continue social distancing and good hygiene practices, the situation may improve in 3-4 weeks.
- The White House coronavirus task force is asking everyone who has recently left New York City to self-quarantine for at least 14 days. Metro-North is still running, but will reduce its schedule starting Friday.
- Connecticut State Universities will credit student accounts for unused room and board.
By The Numbers
All numbers are as of March 24 at 7 p.m.
- 12 deaths from COVID-19
- 618 confirmed cases
- Fairfield County: 384
- Hartford County: 88
- New Haven County: 89
- Litchfield County: 22
- Tolland County: 19
- Middlesex County: 8
- New London County: 6
- Windham County: 2
- More than 5,300 people tested
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The Latest
- Washington is set to approve a $2 trillion aid package in response to the pandemic. It’s the largest of its kind in American history. NPR reports on the key provisions of the deal, which was announced early Wednesday morning. Connecticut’s 2nd District Representative Joe Courtney called the package “much improved,” and said it “directs critical resources to America’s health care workers and hospitals, state governments, unemployed workers and small employers, who are feeling the brunt of the coronavirus outbreak. As soon as this revised agreement is drafted up for a vote in the Senate and House, both parties should cooperate to speed passage without any delay.”
- The White House coronavirus task force is urging everyone who has left New York in the last few days should self-quarantine for the next 14 days. “Because of the rate of the number of cases, you may have been exposed before you left New York,” said Dr. Deborah Birx. Meanwhile, trains are still running between New York and Connecticut, however, Metro-North will be running on a reduced schedule starting Friday.
- Students at Connecticut’s four state universities will be credited for unused room and board. CSCU President Mark Ojakian says this will be completed by next week and the credits will cover the period from the closure of residence halls to the end of the spring semester.
Other Reads On The Coronavirus
- Is All of 2020 Postponed? - Matt Flegenheimer for The New York Times
- The Coronavirus Is A Media Extinction Event - Craig Silverman for Buzzfeed News
- If COVID-19 is War, Why Aren’t We Treating it That Way? - Aaron L. Friedberg and Gabriel Schoenfeld for The Bulwark
Another Tip To Entertain Your Kids
I’ll try not to just make this space a place where I share a YouTube video. But it’s been an exceptionally hectic morning. My wife introduced me to this channel, “How To Dad,” and it is extremely relevant now.
This video may be more entertaining if you don’t have kids.
If you are finding solace in something, whether it’s on YouTube or not, share it with me at tives@ctpublic.org and I’ll try to share some here and on Twitter.
Stay safe. Stay sane.
