Tag:

Pandemic

CT Eatery Closes After Over Decade In Business: 'So Many Amazing Memories' CT Eatery Closes After Over Decade In Business: 'So Many Amazing Memories'
CT Eatery Closes After Over Decade In Business: 'So Many Amazing Memories' An eatery that has been a fixture in Fairfield County for over 10 years has closed one of its locations.  Saugatuck Sweets, which has two locations in the county, closed its Westport store at 575 Riverside Ave. on Sunday, Dec. 17, owners Chris and Al DiGuido announced.  In their announcement, the owners cited economic challenges and lingering effects from the pandemic as influencing their decision, which they made with "mixed feelings," they said.  "We have determined that it is no longer financially viable for us to keep this business afloat," the owners added, also sa…
COVID-19: Pandemic Has Caused 'Collective Trauma' Among US Adults, New Poll Reveals COVID-19: Pandemic Has Caused 'Collective Trauma' Among US Adults, New Poll Reveals
Covid-19: Pandemic Has Caused 'Collective Trauma' Among US Adults, New Poll Reveals Adult Americans are still experiencing "collective trauma" nearly four years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a brand-new poll. The long-term stress sustained since the outbreak began has had a significant impact on well-being, evidenced by a significant increase in reported mental health conditions and chronic illnesses, according to the results of the nationwide survey conducted by The Harris Poll for the American Psychological Association (APA) among more than 3,000 US adults age 18 and older. Those ages 35 to 44 reported the most significant increase in chroni…
COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns
Covid-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations may cause breakthrough infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2.86 strain, now known as Pirola, has been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan. "BA.2.86 may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines," the CDC said in a Risk Assessment Summary. "Scientists are evaluating the effectiveness of the f…
Popular Connecticut Bakery Shutters After Decades In Business Popular Connecticut Bakery Shutters After Decades In Business
Popular Connecticut Bakery Shutters After Decades In Business A longtime Connecticut bakery known for its fresh pastries and cakes made from scratch has permanently closed.  Julia's Bakery, located in the New Haven County town of Orange, officially closed on New Year's Day. Owner Jeff Chandler announced plans for the closure on Friday, Dec. 2. "This journey now ending would have been unimaginable from its start 32 years ago," the announcement reads. "We are deeply thankful to all those who have shared in it: our staff, whose commitment paved the road through four locations and a pandemic; the town of Orange for accepting us as part of the commun…
COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says
Covid-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says A new COVID-19 wave with the strongest strain of the Omicron variant appears to have started in New York, one of NYC's top epidemiologists in the city is saying. Dr. Jay Varma, who was former Mayor Bill de Blasio's top public health advisor during the pandemic, said the infection rate appears to have stabilized at a high level rather than subsiding as summer starts to get into full swing. "This is likely the beginning of a BA.5 wave," Varma stated in a Tweet.  "Reported cases are at a high plateau, which means actual transmission is very high when you account for the &g…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Hits 14 Percent In CT, 39 New Deaths Reported COVID-19: Positivity Rate Hits 14 Percent In CT, 39 New Deaths Reported
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Hits 14 Percent In CT, 39 New Deaths Reported The COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut is approaching levels not seen since the surge of Omicron cases as the state reported more than three dozen new virus-related deaths. In the latest update on Thursday, May 19, the state Department of Public Health reported 39 more COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total up to 11,022 since March 2020. In the past seven days, there have been nearly 70,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to health officials, resulting in 9,751 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus for an average seven-day positivity rate of 1…
COVID-19: Infection Rate Above 13 Percent; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown By County COVID-19: Infection Rate Above 13 Percent; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown By County
Covid-19: Infection Rate Above 13 Percent; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown By County Alarm bells are sounding for some in Connecticut as the positive COVID-19 infection rate across the state crossed new dubious milestones as the battle with the virus continues. In his latest update on Monday, May 16, Connecticut Gov. Lamont said that in the past seven days, there have been more than 84,000 COVID-19 tests administered, resulting in 11,044 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The average seven-day positive infection rate statewide now sits at 13.05 percent. Fifty-five more COVID-19 patients were admitted to Connecticut hospitals, as the number being treated statewide ro…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Stays Above 10 Percent In CT, 18 New Deaths Reported COVID-19: Positivity Rate Stays Above 10 Percent In CT, 18 New Deaths Reported
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Stays Above 10 Percent In CT, 18 New Deaths Reported The positive COVID-19 infection rate continues to rise in Connecticut, which reported nearly two dozen new deaths in the past week. In the latest update on Thursday, May 5, the state Department of Public Health reported 18 more COVID-19-related deaths, bringing the total up to 10,858 since March 2020. In the past seven days, there have been more than 62,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to health officials, resulting in 6,420 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus for a 10.35 percent positivity rate, up slightly from the previous day. Last week, the av…
COVID-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent COVID-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent
Covid-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent The positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is surging toward double digits as the number of patients being treated for the virus statewide soared past 200.  In the past seven days, there have been more than 63,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Public Health, resulting in 6,310 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The seven-day average positivity rate of those tests has jumped up to 9.99 percent after dipping below 7 percent last week. Forty-five more COVID-19 patients were administered to Connecticut hospital…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Above 7.5 Percent In CT, 17 New Deaths Reported COVID-19: Positivity Rate Above 7.5 Percent In CT, 17 New Deaths Reported
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Above 7.5 Percent In CT, 17 New Deaths Reported With the emergence of sub-variants of the COVID-19 Omicron strain rapidly spreading across the country, Connecticut continues to see the number of new cases and deaths in the state rise. In its latest update on Thursday, April 21, the state Department of Public Health reported 17 new virus-related deaths in the past week, as the number of deaths climbed to 10,826 since the pandemic began in March 2020. Over the past seven days, the positive infection rate in Connecticut also continues to rise, up to an average of 7.60 percent after holding steady below 2 percent for several weeks earlier in…
COVID-19: CT Hits New Hospitalization Milestone; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County COVID-19: CT Hits New Hospitalization Milestone; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County
Covid-19: CT Hits New Hospitalization Milestone; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Connecticut hospitals is at its lowest rate since mid-July 2021 as the number dipped under 100 as the state continues to recover. According to the latest update from the state Department of Public Health, 15 more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospitals, bringing the total being treated down to 98.  On Tuesday, March 15, the state was reporting that nearly 14,000 COVID-19 tests were administered in Connecticut, resulting in 317 confirmed cases for a 2.31 percent daily positive infection rate, down for the second strai…
COVID-19: Hospitalizations Dip To New Low In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County COVID-19: Hospitalizations Dip To New Low In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County
Covid-19: Hospitalizations Dip To New Low In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut held steady near 2 percent as the number of patients being treated for the virus in state hospitals dipped below 170.  On Thursday, March 3, there were 19,425 COVID-19 tests administered in Connecticut, according to the latest update from the Department of Public Health, resulting in 432 confirmed cases of the virus for a 2.22 percent positive infection rate. Four more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospitals, bringing the total still being treated down to 167, 66 (39.5 percent) of whom are not fully vaccinated. Acc…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Near 2 Percent In CT, 72 New Deaths Reported COVID-19: Positivity Rate Near 2 Percent In CT, 72 New Deaths Reported
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Near 2 Percent In CT, 72 New Deaths Reported The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut continues to approach 2 percent as the death toll topped 10,500 since the pandemic began two years ago. On Wednesday, March 2, 27,761 COVID-19 tests were administered in Connecticut, resulting in 589 confirmed new cases for a 2.12 percent daily positive infection rate, marking the second straight day the state set a new low in 2022. As recently as mid-January, the infection rate hovered above 20 percent for several weeks, peaking in the middle of the month near 25 percent. Seventy-two new COVID-19 fatalities were in the past week in Connect…
COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Hits 2022 Low; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Hits 2022 Low; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Positive Infection Rate In CT Hits 2022 Low; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths Connecticut hit a new COVID-19 milestone as the state recorded its lowest daily positivity rate of 2022. In his latest update to begin the month of March, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that the state administered more than 7,000 COVID-19 tests on Monday, Feb. 28, resulting in just 170 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The 2.42 daily positivity rate is the lowest recorded in Connecticut in the new year after it hovered near 25 percent during the peak in mid-January. After weeks of seeing the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Connecticut hospitals dwindling, the Departme…
COVID-19: New Studies Shed Light On How Pandemic May Have Started COVID-19: New Studies Shed Light On How Pandemic May Have Started
Covid-19: New Studies Shed Light On How Pandemic May Have Started New clues about how the COVID-19 pandemic started have been detailed in studies that have just been released by scientists on Saturday, Feb. 26. Two studies, conducted by United States scientists, trace the original of the SARS-CoV-2 novel strain of the coronavirus to the large market in Wuhan, China that sold live animals.  The studies are based on genetic analyses of COVID-19 samples from the market and from those who were infected in the first two months after the initial strain was identified. “When you look at all of the evidence together, it’s an extraordinarily clear picture th…
COVID-19: Infection Rate Below 3 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County COVID-19: Infection Rate Below 3 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County
Covid-19: Infection Rate Below 3 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths By County The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut continues to plummet, down below 3 percent, according to the latest update from the state Department of Public Health. On Thursday, Feb. 24, there were 16,591 COVID-19 tests administered in Connecticut which resulted in 423 confirmed cases of the virus for a 2.55 percent daily positivity rate, among the lowest recorded in 2022. Thirteen more COVID-19 patients being treated in Connecticut hospitals were discharged, leaving 235 still hospitalized with the virus. Of those patients, 113 (48.1 percent) were not fully vaccinated, officials noted. …
COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 3.5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 3.5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Infection Rate Back Below 3.5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut dipped back above 3.50 percent as the number of patients being hospitalized for the virus is approaching 250 after peaking at more than 1,000 earlier in the year. According to the latest update from the Connecticut Department of Public Health, there were 15,529 COVID-19 tests administered statewide on Tuesday, Feb. 22, resulting in 540 confirmed positive cases, resulting in a 3.48 percent daily infection rate, down slightly from the previous day. Six more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Connecticut hospital, as the number being treate…
COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing
Covid-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing The “new normal” may start to look more like the “old normal” as federal health officials are expected to loosen up COVID-19 mask mandates across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced during a White House briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 16 that the agency will “soon put guidance in place” regarding mask-wearing. The announcement comes as the country continues to recover from the surge of Omicron cases that mounted over several months around the holiday season. Walensky said that the CDC will monitor certain metrics s…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 136 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 136 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 136 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut dropped back below 4.50 percent as the death toll in the state rose above 10,200. On Wednesday, Feb. 9, 23,078 COVID-19 tests were administered in Connecticut, resulting in 1,026 confirmed new cases for a 4.45 percent positive infection rate, the lowest since the post-holiday surge of the virus in 2022. In January, the infection rate hovered above 20 percent for several weeks. One hundred and thirty-six new COVID-19 fatalities in Connecticut brought the death toll to 10,219 since March 2020. Twenty-three more COVID-19 patients were dischar…
COVID-19: US Exiting 'Full-Blown' Phase Of Pandemic, Restrictions Could End Soon, Fauci Says COVID-19: US Exiting 'Full-Blown' Phase Of Pandemic, Restrictions Could End Soon, Fauci Says
Covid-19: US Exiting 'Full-Blown' Phase Of Pandemic, Restrictions Could End Soon, Fauci Says The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel may be fast approaching, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci. With the number of new infections and hospitalizations plummeting over the past several weeks, Fauci, President Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, said that the US is almost past the “full-blown” pandemic phase. If Fauci’s prediction holds true, it could lead to a rollback of virus-related restrictions and mandates sooner than later, including an end to mandatory mask wearing by the end of 2022. 
“As we get out of the full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19,” Fauci s…
COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Positive Infection Rate Dips Below 5 Percent In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths The daily COVID-19 positive infection rate in Connecticut hit a new low in 2022 as the state continues to rebound from the January surge of new cases. Over the weekend beginning on Friday, Feb. 4, Connecticut administered 44,789 COVID-19 tests, which resulted in 2,138 confirmed cases of the virus for a 4.77 percent positivity rate, Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday, Feb. 7. The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Connecticut hospitals also continues to plummet, with 154 more being discharged to bring the total number of hospitalizations down to 631 statewide. Of the 631 COVI…
COVID-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Say ‘We Just Need To Get On With Our Lives' COVID-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Say ‘We Just Need To Get On With Our Lives'
Covid-19: Poll Reveals Percentage Of Americans Who Say ‘We Just Need To Get On With Our Lives' The majority of Americans are ready to move on from the COVID-19 pandemic and simply accept it as a part of everyday life and move on, according to a newly released national poll. Monmouth University released the results of a new study, which found that seven in 10 Americans agree with the sentiment “it’s time that we accept that COVID-19 is here to stay and we just need to get on with our lives.” Of that 70 percent, 78 percent of those polled reported that they had previously contracted COVID-19, and 65 percent of whom have not been infected. The largest divide came between conservatives…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 175 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 175 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Down Again In CT, 175 New Deaths Reported; Latest Breakdown Of Cases The daily COVID-19 positivity rate in Connecticut continues to drop, though the state has now seen more than 10,000 virus-related deaths since the pandemic began. On Wednesday, Feb. 2, 37,197 COVID-19 tests were administered in Connecticut, resulting in 2,445 confirmed new cases for a 6.57 percent positive infection rate, the lowest since the post-holiday surge of the virus in 2022. In January, the infection rate hovered above 20 percent for several weeks. One hundred and seventy-five new COVID-19 fatalities in Connecticut brought the death toll to 10,083 since March 2020. Sixty-six …
COVID-19: Infection Rate Up, Hospitalizations Down In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Infection Rate Up, Hospitalizations Down In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Infection Rate Up, Hospitalizations Down In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths The COVID-19 numbers continue to show improvement in Connecticut as the state distances itself from the holiday season and the number of patients being treated for the virus is dipping.  Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that on Monday, Jan. 24, there were 27,834 COVID-19 tests administered statewide, which resulted in 3,824 newly confirmed infections for a 13.74 percent daily positivity rate, up from the weekend. The positive infection rate continues to show improvement after plateauing around 25 percent for most of January. Thirty-one more COVID-19 patients were discharged from Conne…
COVID-19: Hospitalizations Below 1,500 In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths, By County COVID-19: Hospitalizations Below 1,500 In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths, By County
Covid-19: Hospitalizations Below 1,500 In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths, By County The number of patients being treated for COVID-19 in Connecticut hospitals has dipped below 1,500 as the state continues to see a strong recovery following a post-holiday surge of new infections over the past month and a half. In the latest update from the State Department of Public Health on Monday, Jan. 24, there were 106,153 COVID-19 tests administered over the weekend, resulting in 12,057 laboratory-confirmed cases for an 11.36 percent daily positive infection rate, continuing a trend of declining numbers. After plateauing near 25 percent for several days earlier this month, the daily p…
COVID-19: Hospitalizations Down For Fifth Straight Day In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Hospitalizations Down For Fifth Straight Day In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Hospitalizations Down For Fifth Straight Day In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases, Deaths Connecticut continues to see improved COVID-19 metrics as the daily positive infection rate and hospitalizations both continue to plunge as the state gets further away from the holiday season. According to the Connecticut Department of Public Health on Wednesday, Jan. 19, the state administered more than 28,000 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours, resulting in 4,745 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus for a daily positivity rate of 16.55 percent, up more than 2 percentage points from the previous day. For the fifth straight day, the number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Connectic…
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals
Here's Percentage Of US Workers Who Plan To Quit Their Jobs This Year, New Report Reveals A new survey found that nearly one-quarter of workers in the United States plan to find a new job this year. ResumeBuilders.com said in a report on Monday, Jan. 3, that it surveyed 1,250 American adults who are currently employed, and found that 23 percent plan to find a new job in 2022. Nine percent of those respondents also said they had already secured a new job. The survey found the turnover will be the highest among the following fields: Retail Food and hospitality Education Office and administrative support The website reported that 31 percent of retail workers and 26 percent of fo…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown Of Cases, Deaths COVID-19: Positivity Rate Down; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown Of Cases, Deaths
Covid-19: Positivity Rate Down; Hospitalizations Up In CT; Latest Rundown Of Cases, Deaths The light at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel could be in sight in Connecticut as the state starts plateauing from the post-holiday surge of newly confirmed infections, though hospitalizations remain on the rise. After spiking up near 25 percent, the positive daily COVID-19 infection rate was down to 21.24 percent, according to the Department of Public Health's latest update on Wednesday, Jan. 12, down from 23.85 percent the previous day. In total, on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 34,460 COVID-19 tests were administered, which resulted in 7,318 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. Nineteen new COVID…
COVID-19: First Cases Of Double-Infection Florona Disease Identified COVID-19: First Cases Of Double-Infection Florona Disease Identified
Covid-19: First Cases Of Double-Infection Florona Disease Identified While all eyes are on the Omicron COVID-19 variant, a new public health threat has emerged as the country enters the heart of flu season amid the second year of the pandemic. The first cases of Florona disease - a combination of the flu and coronavirus infections - have been reported, causing concern for some as the double infection looms large in parts of the world. In Israel, the first reported case of the disease was identified on Friday, Dec. 31 in a woman who went into labor and was not vaccinated against COVID-19, officials said. Another case was also identified in a pregnant woman. A…
COVID-19: Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Remain High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases COVID-19: Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Remain High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases
Covid-19: Positivity Rate, Hospitalizations Remain High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases The daily positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut remains high as more patients are being admitted into hospitals for treatment of the virus.  One day after setting a record for the state's positive infection rate, Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Wednesday, Jan. 5 that Connecticut administered more than 45,000 COVID-19 tests, which resulted in 10,344 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus for a 22.60 percent positivity rate.  The previous day, the infection rate was approaching 24 percent, marking a new daily high for Connecticut, prompting Lamont to advise that "it may get …
COVID-19: New Deaths Reported, Infections Stay High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County COVID-19: New Deaths Reported, Infections Stay High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County
Covid-19: New Deaths Reported, Infections Stay High In CT; Latest Breakdown Of Cases By County Seventy-five new COVID-19 fatalities were reported in the past week in Connecticut, which has seen the number of new infections rapidly continue to spread across the state. In the past week, Connecticut hospitals recorded more than six dozen new virus-related deaths, bringing the total as of Thursday, Dec. 23 to 9,077 statewide since the pandemic began in March 2020. The daily positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested in Connecticut has been fluctuating in the past week, spiking up to 9.02 percent of those tested on Wednesday, Dec. 22. On Dec. 22, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said th…