Despite a slight "flatting" of a hospitalization curve for positive COVID-19 cases over the past few days in Connecticut compared to last week, Governor Ned Lamont advised it is "not time for 'Happy Days Are Here Again,'" and that state residents need to continue being laser focused on social distancing practices.

Locally, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal also looked toward New York, which announced a slight slowing of hospitalizations for the coronavirus, expressing that such news might give local residents a reason to relax safety practices going into Easter weekend and the community's annual spring break week.

"Just because we're hearing some positive news out of New York does not mean we can let out guard down," the first selectman told The Newtown Bee late Tuesday afternoon. "Next week is spring break and I worry. Things like play dates and sleepovers should not be happening."

Rosenthal said he is hoping for good weather to herald the Easter holiday and vacation week, but people should enjoy their time "without gathering for close-knit social activities. We need to stay vigilant."

Newtown Health District Director Donna Culbert is now monitoring 55 active COVID-19 cases locally, and according to the latest state figures, as of April 7, a total of 7,781 laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents.

To date, 1,308 are currently hospitalized and there have been 277 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19-associated deaths. Fairfield County accounts for more than half of those cases with 4,136, and slightly less than half the statewide deaths at 132.

Among 215 nursing homes in Connecticut, 82 (38%) have had at least one confirmed case of COVID-19. A total of 600 nursing home residents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 have been identified, of whom 171 (29%) were hospitalized and 81 (14%) have died.

Signs Of Support

Around Newtown, more hand-lettered signs offering general support and specifically, support for medical and emergency workers, continued to pop up in yards and along road sides.

At the same time, on Monday, Governor Lamont announced that the State of Connecticut will illuminate the Pearl Harbor Memorial Bridge in New Haven – more commonly known among residents as the Q Bridge – in red lights to honor the thousands of Connecticut health care workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our state’s health care workers have been thrown into this crisis and are literally working around the clock to protect our state from this pandemic,” Governor Lamont said. “This is a visible way for us to express our appreciation for their dedication during this national crisis, and a reminder to our residents about the sacrifices they are making on our behalf."

Nuvance Health staff at hospitals throughout the region have been working around the clock to respond to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. During these challenging times, many people are asking, “What can I do to help?”

If you are able to provide financial support or an in-kind donation (such as Personal Protective Equipment, or PPE), consider making a difference at this critical time when the demands on our healthcare system are immediate and growing with your:

Philanthropic dollars — Your gift, no matter its size, will give Nuvance Health the flexibility to support continued emergency preparedness. To support their efforts, CLICK HERE

In-kind donations — Nuvance is ready to respond to the pandemic today and they continue to build reserves of supplies, equipment, and additional staff. To help ensure they have the supplies they need, please see below for a list of approved donation items:

*New, clean disposable face masks, gowns, head covers, gloves, goggles/eye shields, shoe covers, scrubs, coveralls, unopened bleach wipes.

*Masks: N95, N25, P95, R95, N100, P100, R100

To reach the Foundation office regarding an in-kind donation call Danbury Hospital at 203-739-7227

Also late Monday, Connecticut Insurance Department Commissioner Andrew N. Mais called on insurers to consider lowering personal vehicle premiums and adjust commercial hired and non-owned auto insurance in light of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This will provide much needed relief to individuals and businesses facing financial hardship during this difficult time.

“The emergency social distancing has resulted in fewer vehicles on the road, less miles being driven, and reduced exposure to traffic accidents,” said Commissioner Mais. “Those are some of the factors that influence insurance premiums and consumers and businesses need financial relief.”

In a Department Notice, the Connecticut Insurance Department is requesting that all insurance companies offering Auto and Motorcycle Liability Insurance coverage in Connecticut work to make sure premiums reflect the reduced risk during the shelter-in-place period.

Personal Auto Insurance Premiums: The Department is aware of a few insurers offering a premium credit to their auto customers reflecting reduced exposure to automobile accidents. The premium reductions could be accomplished through premium credits and could be implemented immediately. A filing could be made after-the-fact without penalty. The Department also encourages consumers to contact their insurers to request consideration for reduced auto premiums related to their reduced driving related to COVID-19.

Hired and Non-owned Vehicle: The Department encourages insurers to assist business owners, and restaurants in particular, who have had to begin deliveries, by affording them coverage for those who request commercial Hired and Non-owned automobile insurance to protect their businesses, at least until the Governor’s Emergency Order has been lifted. The Department would also like to remind these sorts of delivery businesses that as an alternative to purchasing commercial auto insurance, they may want to consider partnering with ‘gig’ delivery businesses as another possible delivery source.

Volunteers And DV Services

The current COVID-19 public health emergency is creating a labor crisis for health care facilities and nonprofits across the state that serve vulnerable people on the front lines. Medical and non-medical volunteers are needed to help health care facilities and community providers continue to provide crucial services.

Connecticut's hospitals, nursing homes and medical facilities are in need of medical volunteers. Governor Ned Lamont is urging anyone with experience in healthcare to register on the CTResponds! volunteer registry.

CTResponds! is the State of Connecticut’s web-based medical volunteer management system. This system helps to maintain a registry of volunteers’ skills and credentials available within the state, and helps communities match available resources to an emergency event.

Medical volunteers can register by CLICKING HERE

Frontline nonprofits – particularly food banks/pantries, meal delivery services, and homeless shelters – are seeing a marked increase in demand for their services.

CT Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (CT VOAD), United Way of Connecticut, and the Office of the Governor have created a Disaster Assistance and Response Technology (DART) volunteer database – “CT DART.”

This data base allows nonprofits to register their needs; volunteers to sign up; and matches to be made between the two to source new labor to support the frontline nonprofits through this crisis.

Non-Medical volunteers can register by CLICKING HERE

Do NOT volunteer if you are at risk or compromised.

If you are immunocompromised, over 60, are showing symptoms of COVID-19, or live with or care for someone in any of those categories, you should avoid being in public – including for volunteer efforts.

Learn more about Connecticut’s Volunteer Needs by CLICKING HERE

The Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence (CCADV), its 18 Member Organizations, and Safe Connect have all activated emergency response plans to COVID-19 that prioritize the safety and security of survivors and staff while ensuring that survivors can access the services they need.

While conditions and the agency's response will be fluid:

*Safe Connect, the state’s domestic violence resource hub and 24/7 hotline, is up and running. Survivors or those with questions can communicate with advocates 24/7 via call, chat, and e-mail. Text messaging needs to be temporarily suspended.

*Safe Connect will continue to provide safety planning, crisis response, and referrals to its 18 Member Organizations for ongoing support and services.

*While Connecticut’s domestic violence shelters are operating well-over capacity, space will still be provided whenever available. Victims in need of shelter should contact Safe Connect to inquire about available space.

* CCADV’s 18 Member Organizations are providing ongoing counseling, risk assessment, and safety planning over the phone.

*CCADV Member Organization legal advocates are available via phone and/or e-mail to assist survivors at criminal and family courthouses across the state for any courthouse locations remaining open for Restraining Order applications/hearings. Check with your local CCADV Member Organization about in-person support in civil court.

*CCADV Member Organization support groups are suspended until further notice.

Masks And SNAP Benefits

Following the latest recommendations by the CDC recommending that Americans now use cloth masks, US Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn) is sharing a video produced by US Surgeon General Dr Jerome Adams on how to make a no-sew mask.

View the video by CLICKING HERE

On April 3, Senators Murphy and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), along with US Representatives John Larson (CT-1), Rosa DeLauro (CT-3), Joe Courtney (CT-2), Jim Himes (CT-4), and Jahana Hayes (CT-5) sent a letter to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) urging the department to immediately halt plans to finalize or move forward with regulations that will limit people in Connecticut from accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.

“We write to urge you to immediately rescind the SNAP Requirements for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Rule and halt the rulemaking process for the Revision of Categorical Eligibility Rule and the Revision of State Heating and Cooling Standard Utility Allowances (SUA) Rule. Your decision to continue to pursue these rules puts hundreds of thousands of people in Connecticut at risk of severe food insecurity during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.” the members wrote. "In the midst of an unprecedented health and economic crisis, your department should not enact changes that make it harder for our constituents to access SNAP.

“In the face of this economic catastrophe that will likely mean millions of Americans facing unemployment and financial hardship through no fault of their own, states will need the flexibility to waive work requirements for months into the future.

"USDA can no longer rely on their previous economic analysis for how many Americans will lose benefits, as employment numbers change by the days and hours. These cruel SNAP rules should be abandoned immediately in the face of this unprecedented health and economic crisis facing our country,” the members concluded.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus

Individuals who have general questions that are not answered on the website can also call 211 for assistance. The hotline and corresponding website is available 24 hours a day and has multilingual assistance and TDD/TTY access.

It intended to be used by individuals who are not experiencing symptoms but may have general questions related to COVID-19. Anyone experiencing symptoms is strongly urged to contact their medical provider.

The Newtown Bee is continuing to provide and mirror information and messages coming from local and state agencies on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Newtown residents can get more details by visiting:

*Town of Newtown COVID-19 web page - CLICK HERE

*Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - CLICK HERE

*World Health Organization - CLICK HERE

Residents can also review all prior COVID-19 updates and follow the newspaper’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for breaking local and state reports.

Please check in regularly, share, and follow the newspaper’s hyperlocal coverage at newtownbee.com through the remainder of this public health emergency.