24 more Connecticut residents die from COVID-19, another 399 test positive as officials ramp up monitoring of state parks

There were 24 more coronavirus-related deaths in Connecticut between Saturday and 4 p.m. Sunday, Gov. Ned Lamont reported, bringing the number of fatalities to 189.

Another 399 people tested positive for the virus, for a total of 5,675 infections statewide. More than 23,270 patients have been tested, the governor said. Additionally, 1,142 patients have been hospitalized so far.

New Haven is emerging as a coronavirus hot spot, with 241 new cases and nine additional fatalities, Mayor Justin Elicker said Sunday.

Also on Sunday, Lamont signed two new executive orders. One protects health care professionals and health care facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes and field hospitals, from lawsuits for “acts or omissions undertaken in good faith in support of the state’s COVID-19 response.”

Connecticut statutes already provide similar protections for other first responders, including police, firefighters and emergency medical technicians. New York and New Jersey have approved similar orders.

“This order is meant to provide as much flexibility as possible for all of our health care facilities addressing this extraordinary pandemic … to [give] the best possible care under the circumstances,” said Max Reiss, a spokesman for Lamont.

The order does not protect health care facilities from being sued for criminal actions, fraud, acts of malice or gross negligence.

Another order signed by Lamont on Sunday seeks to protect COVID-19 patients from surprise medical bills for emergency services classified as out-of-network by their insurance providers. It also protects uninsured patients who seek treatment for the virus.

Officials wary of crowds at state parks

With the number of deaths due to coronavirus climbing, state officials are instructing people to continue practicing social distancing to stem the spread of new infections.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection says it is closely monitoring parks and recreational areas, especially as the weather warms and stir-crazy residents seek an escape outdoors.

Most parks remain open but restrictions are in place. Walking, hiking and fishing is permitted, as long as those activities are done alone or with immediate family members.

Picnicking and gathering in groups of more than five people is not.

Penalties for violating those restrictions include verbal warnings, expulsion from the park and a fine up to $5,000, along with potentially facing misdemeanor or felony charges.

The department is closely monitoring attendance at parks. Officials said they will consider capacity restrictions and closures if the parks become too crowded.

Talcott Mountain in Simsbury and Penwood in Bloomfield were closed before 1 p.m. Sunday, as both parks’ parking lots were at capacity. Sleeping Giant in Hamden was closed just after 2:30 p.m. Park officials say that walk-ins and motorists are directed to other parks when the lots are full.

At a Sunday afternoon press conference, Environmental Conservation Police with the DEEP said that they are closing Kent Falls State Park in Kent starting Monday. They also warned that, as temperatures rise in the coming weeks, they may decrease the capacity at park parking lots to be sure visitors maintain proper social distancing.

Communities across the state have closed playgrounds, basketball and tennis courts and other recreational facilities. In South Windsor, town employees dumped sand on the skate park after people ignored requests to not use the facility.

“It breaks my heart, but I think the basketball hoops are too big a temptation for a group,” Lamont said Saturday. “I think they ought to come down. I’m going to keep parks open as long as I can, but they better honor the social distancing because this is the month where it really matters. Otherwise, we’re going to have to shut that down, too.”

Lamont’s chief operating officer, Josh Geballe, said that state officials will remain vigilant even after the state reaches the projected peak infections in the coming weeks. He said it is important “that we don’t take the restrictions off too quickly” when the virus continues to spread, even at a slower pace.

Hartford is among the municipalities that have announced stepped-up enforcement. Mayor Luke Bronin said that police will work with health inspectors to enforce the governor’s executive order banning social gatherings of more than five people by monitoring retail stores in the city, from big-box stores to bodegas.

Concerns in New Haven

The virus began its spread through Connecticut in Fairfield County, the part of the state closest to hard-hit New York City. But in recent days, the number of cases in New Haven has edged up, Elicker said.

The number of new cases and fatalities represent “a big jump” from Saturday, Elicker said Sunday. Those infected range in age from 1 to 93.

The mayor said he, too, is concerned with overcrowding, particularly in grocery stores. “We want to underscore how important it is,” Elicker said. On Saturday, the city sent out a robo-call to grocery stores to remind them of rules regarding crowd control.

To ensure compliance, the city health department will be conducting inspections of stores. “We are prepared to close down stores if this continues to be a problem,” Elicker said.

Palm Sunday from a distance

As important religious observances approach in the coming days — Passover, Holy Week and Easter, and Ramadan later this month — faith communities are dealing with the reality that things will be different.

On Sunday, St. Mark’s Episcopal Chapel in Storrs held a Palm Sunday “Drive-In Church” service. The Rev. Brian Blayer led an outdoor service in the church’s parking lot, so parishioners could stay in their cars and follow social distancing requirements.

The parishioners parked around a large sycamore tree, under which Blayer set up a microphone and speakers so worshippers could hear him.

“We have come here today wondering what maybe today is all about,” Blayer said during his sermon. “And in showing up today, this is our triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In showing up today, humbly, we have seen the will of God. In showing up today, we have conquered.”

The Courant’s Mark Mirko contributed to this story.