CT In Race Against U.K. Coronavirus Variant: Lamont

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut has kept its coronavirus hospitalization rate stable and per capita infections across the state recently saw a dip after weeks on the rise, but an increased number of U.K. variant coronavirus cases has cast a dark cloud over that progress, Gov. Ned Lamont said Thursday.

“So it’s a tale of two cities in terms of our stability, making pretty good progress, hopefully bending the curve, and what I see over in Europe… you see renewed lockdowns in France, in Germany not to mention the United Kingdom,” Lamont said during a news conference.

Another four cases of the highly infectious U.K. variant were found in Connecticut, bringing the total number to eight, but the real number is likely much higher than that, Lamont said.

Connecticut is now in a race against time as the U.K. variant continues to spread and the state tries to vaccinate as many people as possible to head it off.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a Today Show interview that he was convinced that the U.K. variant could increase the seriousness of infection to a degree. Data is still being collected and analyzed, but some preliminary data pointed in that direction.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has previously said the variant was more contagious, but it didn’t make infections more serious.

Lamont Wants Emergency Powers Extended

Lamont will also ask the state legislature to extend his emergency powers until April 20. That would keep all his currently active executive orders, such as mask use, intact. It would also allow him to react quickly to the needs of the state, especially when it comes to mass vaccination sites, he said. His emergency powers are set to expire Feb. 9 — they were previously extended in September.

“We think by April 20 we’re going to have a really good handle on where we stand in terms of vaccinations, where we stand on supply of vaccinations, wheere we stand bending curve, where we stand on the variants,

Under state law Lamont can declare a civil preparedness and/or health emergency for up to six months. A legislative committee of 10 can block the declaration, but that is unlikely since Democratic legislators hold a 6 to 4 majority.

Committee members House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) and Senate President Martin Looney (D-New Haven) said they would vote to extend powers until April 20, according to CT News Junkie.

Republican House Leader Vincent Candelora and Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said the emergency powers should only be extended until March 1 and extended in 30 day increments if necessary through a full legislative vote.

Around two-thirds of Lamont’s orders have been to relax state law or regulations, Chief of Staff Paul Mounds said at a news conference. He also pointed out that Lamont hasn’t signed an executive order in about a month and a half.

Daily numbers

Connecticut reported 5,817 new coronavirus cases since Friday and a 4.73 percent positive test rate. Net coronavirus hospitalizations increased by 10 patients over three days to 1,068 hospitalized.

Another 92 deaths were reported, which brought the state total up to 6,911.