Gov. Ned Lamont announced Thursday that the number of cases in Connecticut now stands at more than 1,000 with 21 deaths related to COVID-19.

Lamont says since Wednesday an additional 137 people have tested positive and 125 people have been hospitalized.

Fairfield County has the highest number of cases with 607 and the most fatalities. Out of the 21 deaths statewide, 13 of them were in Fairfield County. New Haven County has the second highest number of confirmed cases with 156 and two deaths from coronavirus.

During his news conference, the governor urged residents under the age of 60 to stay home and not go out even to shop. Lamont says older residents should seek help, if possible, from neighbors or family to do shopping and other essential errands.

Lamont also urged social gatherings to be limited to five people or less. He also says that people under age 60 who have symptoms should stay home and self-quarantine for 14 days. He says the remedy is the same as when you have the flu and that is to stay home and rest.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy discussed the relief package, saying it is the biggest in the nation's history. Blumenthal says all packages need to be bipartisan now and going forward.

Murphy said the Treasury is hoping to send out payments to families within the next three weeks. He also says those who are self-employed should not assume that they are ineligible for unemployment.

The governor also plans to lift the 10-cent plastic bag tax to help during the tough economic times.

 

 Briefing Notes:

- Gov. Lamont said anyone who doesn't have to travel to the state of Connecticut shouldn't.

- Gov. Lamont advised anyone over 60 to stay home.

- Gov. Lamont said total positive cases in Connecticut is more than 1,000.

- Gov. Lamont urges that no more than 5 people take part in a social gathering.

- Gov. Lamont said no more than 50 people should be in stores at a time.

- Gov. Lamont said test yourself before visiting Connecticut and self-quarantine for 14 days.

- Sen. Blumenthal said expectation we'll be back to normal by Easter is bad advice.

- Sen. Blumenthal said 'cannot have economic recovery unless we heal the public health emergency.'

- Sen. Blumenthal said 'solutions need to be bigger and longer range.'

- Sen. Blumenthal said relief packages need to be bipartisan now and going forward.

- Sen. Murphy said 'feds need to take ownership of manufacturing of critical equipment.'

- Sen. Murphy said we can't put a timeline on when people can go back to work, school and life as usual.

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