As Connecticut entered the long Memorial Day weekend, the state Saturday reported another decline in coronavirus-related hospitalizations but crossed a grim milestone as the number of confirmed cases rose above 40,000, an increase of 382 from the previous day.
Connecticut recorded another 38 deaths, bringing the total to 3,675 in the COVID-19 pandemic. Hospitalizations fell by 16, to 724; and the state reported 6,039 tests conducted, the total rising to 208,367, according to data released by the state Saturday afternoon.
Fairfield County leads Connecticut in the largest number of confirmed cases, at close to 15,000 and the largest number of deaths, at 1,208. New Haven County ranks second in the number of cases, at 10,847, with 897 deaths. And although Hartford County comes in third in the number of cases, with 9,545, it is a close second to Fairfield County in the death count, with 1,169.
Connecticut has entered into its first weekend since the partial reopening of the state on Wednesday, including outdoor dining at restaurants. Saturday’s overcast, rainy weather did not make for an ideal day for outdoor activities or heading to the beach. But the forecast for Sunday and Monday is for clear skies and warm weather, raising concerns about crowds at beaches and parks.
Gov. Ned Lamont has signed an executive order that specifically allows local officials to enforce the governor’s coronavirus-related orders, including the practice of social distancing guidelines. Those guidelines include physical separation and mask-wearing in crowded places. A number of cities and towns have told the Courant that they prefer to educate rather than arrest, but the added authority could come into play over the weekend.
For those heading to any of Connecticut’s beaches, they can only go to the beach with household members, must leave at least 15 feet between beach blankets and must wear masks when in close proximity to others. The state has said it would close beaches again if rules are not followed.
Archdiocese of Hartford planning to resume Masses
The Archdiocese of Hartford said in a Facebook post Saturday that it is making plans to resume public Masses that have been suspended due to the pandemic.
“Now, with the lessening of pandemic cases, plans are being made to resume public Masses on weekdays at first, then expanding to Sundays while following public health guidelines,” the Facebook post reads.
The announcement comes after President Donald Trump Friday called on governors to let churches and other houses of worship reopen this weekend despite local restrictions on gatherings.
Following Trump’s announcement, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new guidelines for communities of faith on how to safely reopen, including recommendations to limit the size of gatherings and consider holding services outdoors or in large, well-ventilated areas.
Churches in Connecticut have been allowed to remain open but Gov. Ned Lamont, via executive order, has limited the size of religious gatherings to a maximum of 50 people.
Chief Justice Roberts addresses Westminster graduates
The 102 graduating seniors at the Westminster School in Simsbury got a virtual sendoff from U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts Saturday.
Roberts, whose son attends the private school, told the graduates in a video message posted on the school website that the coronavirus pandemic “has pierced our illusion of certainty and control”
He steered clear of politics but urged the graduates to maintain humility, compassion and courage as they head out into the world.
“Not the boundless courage of the heroic health care workers but enough courage to live free in an uncertain world, recognizing that, pandemic or no, this is your moment, your time to begin leaving your mark on the world,” Roberts said.
The graduating class includes students from 12 countries, 16 states and 24 Connecticut cities and towns, according to the school.
State gives Mystic Pizza go-ahead for outdoor dining
In the latest example of a relaxing of restrictions to encourage outdoor dining during the pandemic, Lamont said Saturday that the state Department of Transportation had cleared the way for the iconic Mystic Pizza to offer outdoor dining outside its restaurant on Route 1, a state highway.
“We want to do our best to partner with businesses to make any adjustments we can to help commercial operations resume while also maintaining the necessary health standards that will keep customers and employees protected,” Lamont said. “This is going to require some creative modifications that we’ve never had to do before, but working together we can find solutions to many of these obstacles.”
Last week, Lamont signed an executive order that created an expedited process for cities and towns to approve restaurants’ creative approaches to expanding order dining that was allowed beginning May 20 by setting up tables in parking lots, on sidewalks or on closed streets. Restaurants are still prohibited from serving customers inside their buildings.
Lamont has said indoor dining may be allowed to resume on June 20 as part of a second phase of reopening of businesses shuttered due to the coronavirus. Restaurant owners have asked Lamont to move that date up to June 3. In a Friday news release the Connecticut Restaurant Association pointed out that Rhode Island restaurants will reopen for indoor dining June 1.
“Like Rhode Island, Connecticut can take this next step with many added safety precautions, such as limiting overall capacity to 50 percent, no standing room or bar seating, added use of gloves and masks, and much more,” the association said.
Kenneth R. Gosselin can be reached at kgosselin@courant.com.
