COVID-19 Hospitalizations Top 1K In CT + Latest Town-By-Town Case Updates

CONNECTICUT — The daily coronavirus positivity rate has set another record in the state, for the second day in a row.

According to the latest data released by the state Department of Public Health, the daily positivity now stands at 17.78 percent, up 2.8 percent from the previous high reported Tuesday. There were 7,520 new confirmed cases, from 42,295 tests, added in the past 24 hours.

There is no relief to be found in the key metric of hospitalizations. The number of beds occupied by those who have tested positive for COVID-19 in Connecticut climbed by 150 since Tuesday, bringing the total number to 1,113. According to state health officials, 73.9 percent of those currently hospitalized are not fully vaccinated.

Most of those hospitalized (351) are in New Haven County.

Just under 82 percent of Connecticut's population has been fully vaccinated, according to the CDC Wednesday afternoon.

As more information is gathered on COVID-19 and the omicron variant, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention is cutting the recommended time for isolation in half and shortening quarantine time as well.

The omicron variant "is spreading quickly and has the potential to impact all facets of our society. CDC's updated recommendations for isolation and quarantine balance what we know about the spread of the virus and the protection provided by vaccination and booster doses," said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.

As of Monday, isolation time went from 10 days for people with COVID-19 to 5 days, if asymptomatic, followed by 5 days of wearing a mask when around others.

"The change is motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, generally in the 1-2 days prior to onset of symptoms and the 2-3 days after," according to the CDC.

Additionally, CDC updated the recommended quarantine period for those exposed to COVID-19 but it varied based on vaccination status.

For people who are unvaccinated or are more than six months out from their second dose (or more than 2 months after the J&J vaccine) and not yet boosted, the CDC now recommends quarantine for 5 days followed by strict mask use for an additional 5 days.

If a 5-day quarantine is not feasible, federal public health officials suggest that an exposed person wear a well-fitting mask at all times when around others for 10 days after exposure.

Those who have received their booster shot do not need to quarantine following an exposure, but should wear a mask for 10 days after the exposure.

"These updates ensure people can safely continue their daily lives. Prevention is our best option: get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a mask in public indoor settings in areas of substantial and high community transmission, and take a test before you gather," said Walensky.

Here are the latest guidelines for isolation and quarantine from the CDC:

If You Test Positive for COVID-19 (Isolate)

Everyone, regardless of vaccination status.

• Stay home for 5 days.
• If you have no symptoms or your symptoms are resolving after 5 days, you can leave your house.
• Continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.

If you have a fever, continue to stay home until your fever resolves.

If You Were Exposed to Someone with COVID-19 (Quarantine)

If you: Have been boosted or completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine within the last 6 months or completed the primary series of J&J vaccine within the last 2 months:

• Wear a mask around others for 10 days.
• Test on day 5, if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.

If you: Completed the primary series of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine over 6 months ago and are not boosted OR Completed the primary series of J&J over 2 months ago and are not boosted
OR Are unvaccinated:

• Stay home for 5 days. After that continue to wear a mask around others for 5 additional days.
• If you can’t quarantine you must wear a mask for 10 days.
• Test on day 5 if possible.

If you develop symptoms get a test and stay home.J

See Also: 7 Arrests Made In Connection With School Gun Violence Threats: PD

• Connecticut Towns Begin Roll-Out Of 3 Million COVID-19 Test Kits

Patch editor Alexis Tarrazi contributed reporting to this story