Coronavirus CT News: Connecticut positivity rate hits highest mark since June

COVID-19 News and Information

ByEyewitness News WABC logo

Friday, October 30, 2020

Connecticut positivity rate hits highest mark since June

Connecticut Governor Lamont warned the state is looking at a second wave and 11 towns have been added to "red alert" status.

CONNECTICUT (WABC) -- Connecticut's positivity rate has reached 6.1%, the highest since June, and Governor Lamont warned the state is looking at a second wave.

"This 6.1 may be a harbinger of things to come. It's going to get worse before it gets better," Governor Lamont said.

30 towns in the state are now on "red alert" (11 were added today), including Stamford, Norwalk, Bridgeport and Danbury

Red alert towns can choose to roll back from phase 3 to phase 2.

Both New Haven and Stamford announced they were going back to phase 2.

"This is a difficult decision but every indicator we're monitoring suggests we're at the beginning of a second wave," said Stamford Mayor David Martin. "Unfortunately, this means we must change our behavior immediately. This second wave is no longer speculative or a possibility, it is happening right now. There is no feasible way to get our community and economy close to normal if everyone is getting sick. I am reluctant to make this decision because I know how it will impact our businesses and community, but the City of Stamford must rollback to Phase 2 as soon as possible."

Another 53 are listed in the orange stage. Lamont said orange towns can also roll back to phase 2 if they want.

Lamont says red or orange municipalities can also decide if they want to close local hockey rinks.

"Allowing municipalities to do the right thing is important," Lamont said, adding there's "no good news in these numbers."

The state reported 70,446 positive COVID cases as well as 4,609 deaths, five new. The state administered 21,739 tests and 1,319 came back positive. There are also 321 patients hospitalized due to COVID.