COVID-19 cases in Connecticut haven't spiked the way they have in less vaccinated states such as Florida, but there's enough concern in the governor's office to spark new measures aimed at limiting the spread.
While calling a new statewide mask mandate unnecessary, Gov. Ned Lamont says Connecticut will continue its careful approach to the virus, which he calls "the opposite of Florida."
His latest executive order allows cities and towns to issue their own mask mandates. He says, "There are some mayors and first selectmen who want to be even stricter. We're giving them that freedom."
Meanwhile, the governor is seriously considering an extended mask mandate for schools, which open in just a few weeks. He notes the increasing severity of the illness among children.
"It's a small minority who are getting very sick," says Lamont. "But there's a bigger group that at least is exposed to infections."
Thursday, Connecticut's COVID positive test rate for the last 24 hours was reported at 2.7%, leaving the 7-day running average hovering around 3%. According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Research Center, the U.S. positive test average is roughly 10%. That average runs as high as 24% in Arkansas and 16% in Louisiana, where hospitals are being overwhelmed.
Florida's numbers are harder to come by. The Mayo Clinic reports Florida's 7-day running positive test rate at about 15%.
