Lamont signs Stay Safe, Stay Home order; announces 4th death

The governor hopes the "Stay Safe, Stay at Home" executive order will aid in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

News 12 Staff

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Mar 20, 2020, 6:26 PM

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Updated 1,496 days ago

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Gov. Ned Lamont announced that a fourth Connecticut resident has died from the coronavirus.

All of the deceased victims have been from Fairfield County. The governor also announced during a news conference Friday afternoon 35 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the state's total to 194.

MORE: LIVE BLOG - Coronavirus updates from the tri-state area and beyond

He says there are 40 patients currently hospitalized. The increase in cases is a reflection of more testing, Gov. Lamont said. More than 1,000 are being tested daily in the state.

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The governor also signed the "Stay Safe, Stay at Home" executive order, which he hopes will aid in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

He says anyone over 70 years old should avoid gatherings and urged anyone who can telecommute to do so.

"Don't open your retail store unless you are involved in some essential service like food, grocery stores, health care, pharmacies... I want to see all the rest of those non-essential services closed for at least a few weeks or for the foreseeable future," the governor said.

CORONAVIRUS TRACKER - Cases in the tri-state area
TESTING SITES: A list of coronavirus testing sites in the tri-state area

Gov. Lamont said the state got a "small allocation" of protective gear for medical workers and is distributing those. He also asked for businesses that have extra masks or equipment to donate them.

The governor says he is working with the state Legislature to put together "a very low cost bridge loan" to help small business owners carry through. He says he also looking at federal plans that could help business owners as well.

Also, a state representative from Windsor is believed to be the first Connecticut lawmaker to test positive for the coronavirus. Democratic Rep. Jane Garibay announced the positive test in a message to fellow lawmakers Thursday.
Mayor Harry Rilling said late Friday afternoon that there were three new positive cases in Norwalk, bringing the total positive reported cases in the city to eight. He also said Norwalk had its first coronavirus-related death, but did't not provide further details about the victim.
A teacher at Joel Barlow High School in the Easton/Redding School District tested positive for COVID-19. According to Superintendent Tom McMorran, “the teacher started to manifest symptoms on the evening of Friday, March 13. Full symptoms did not appear until Saturday, March 14. Our students and staff were dismissed on the afternoon of Thursday, March 12.

PHOTOS: The impact of coronavirus around the world

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AP Wire Services were used in this report.

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