Grim Milestone: CT Passes 8,000 Coronavirus Deaths

CONNECTICUT — The state's coronavirus death toll passed 8,000 over the weekend, but the positivity rate for the infection is still under control, according to data released Monday by the Department of Public Health.

"I think that we had no idea of the scope of the tragedy that we were confronting a year ago," Gov. Ned Lamont said about passing the grim milestone. "I think that we as a state, we as a country, have got to learn from the scope and scale of the misery and fatalities this has created.

The governor said that the state and the country need to "learn from the scope and scale of the misery and fatalities" so that we are "much better prepared, and we take the early warning signals much more seriously next time."

The total number of Connecticut residents who have died from COVID-19 is now 8,014, following the 19 fatalities recorded by DPH over the weekend.

An additional 2,736 cases of the coronavirus were reported, bringing that total to 331,401. With 101,952 tests reported, the daily positivity rate now sits at 2.68 percent.

Hospitalizations remained below 500 in the latest report from DPH, but the number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized rose by 8 beds. That brings the total number across the state to 494.

All eyes will be on the coronavirus hospitalization and infection rates as the state prepares to lift all COVID-19 mitigation restrictions on May 19. The first phase of the final reopening will become effective May 1, when business curfews will be moved back to midnight. Outdoor restrictions will also be lifted, so alcohol can be served without food and there will be no table size limit. Outdoor mask mandates will be lifted so long as social distancing can be maintained. Indoor mask restrictions will remain in place on the 19th, but there may be exceptions for fully vaccinated people, Lamont said during a news conference Monday.

The number of Connecticut residents vaccinated has been rising at around 10 percent of the population per week. As of Monday, 61 percent of the population have received their first dose. State Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said he anticipates around 70 percent of the state to have received at least one dose by the end of the month.

See Also: CT Coronavirus Business Restrictions Being Fully Lifted In May

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