Additional 115 COVID Cases in CT Today, 66th Executive Order Modifies Face Covering Requirements, Permits DECD to Set Size Limits on Gatherings

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 Friday, August 14, 2020:

Data updates on testing in Connecticut

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.

County-by-county breakdown:

For several additional graphs and tables containing more data, including a list of cases in every municipality, visit ct.gov/coronavirus and click the link that is labeled, “COVID-19 Data Tracker.”

Sixty-sixth executive order issued to mitigate the spread of COVID-19

At the request of Governor Lamont, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz – in her capacity as acting governor – today signed an executive order – the 66^th since the enactment of the emergency declarations – that builds upon the Lamont administration’s efforts to encourage mitigation strategies that slow down transmission of COVID-19. Executive Order No. 7NNN enacts the following provisions:

• Modifications to face-covering requirements: This order replaces Executive Order No. 7BB, which required the wearing of face coverings in public places in Connecticut, with a similar order that requires anyone declining to wear a mask or face covering because of a medical condition to have documentation of the condition. It also contains provisions for people with disabilities to obtain such documentation without facing a significant burden.
• Permission for DECD Commissioner to establish size limits for private gatherings: Permits the Commissioner of DECD to issue or amend Sector Rules to establish size limits for private gatherings of people who do not live in the same household, regardless of whether such gathering has been organized by a business.

Connecticut Gets Federal Approval for Food Replacement Benefits for All SNAP Recipients Statewide

Over 210,600 Connecticut households enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) will receive federal storm-related food replacement benefits, Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Deidre S. Gifford announced today.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) has approved $9.9 million in food assistance for Connecticut SNAP recipients statewide, based on an analysis of Tropical Storm Isaias power outages and federal guidelines for replacement benefits.

Commissioner Gifford thanked FNS officials for their fast response to Connecticut’s appeal for replacement food benefits, noting that the infusion of federal aid will help families and individuals struggling in the storm’s aftermath and from the continuing economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This equates to replacement benefits ranging from $10 to over $230, depending on income and household size,” she said.  “The average replacement benefit is estimated at $61.”

All 210,600 SNAP-enrolled households (nearly 387,000 people) will automatically receive 20 percent of their August benefit amount in electronic benefit transfer (EBT) accounts on a date to be announced by DSS after systems planning.

Individual requests for SNAP replacement benefits are also being handled by DSS, with information available at www.ct.gov/snap and www.endhungerct.org. If individual replacement benefits are requested, DSS will determine the amount of replacement benefits and exclude the recipient from the statewide automatic distribution.

SNAP benefits can be used only for federally approved food items at supermarkets, grocery stores, approved online retailers and farmers’ markets.