Gov. Ned Lamont says Connecticut needs to focus on protecting the state's most vulnerable population from COVID-19.

Lamont says the number of hospital discharges of COVID-19 patients in Connecticut continues to show promise with 55 patients being discharged since Wednesday.

He says the numbers show a three-week decline in hospitalizations.

There are 35,464 coronavirus cases in the state with 609 new cases since Wednesday.

There have also been virus-related deaths, with 94 new deaths, bringing the state total to 3,219.

Lamont says the state's priorities include mass testing, support for the vulnerable population and a criteria for phase one of reopening the state which will begin happening next week.

Lamont says vulnerable populations include ethnic and minority groups, prisoners, nursing home, and assisted living facilities residents, the elderly, and all the front-line health care and essential workers who interact with the public every day.

Lamont says the state is currently ramping up testing efforts in vulnerable population areas.

He says Connecticut can currently test 29,000 people a week, and that the number is expected to increase to 42,000 by next week.

He says he expects the state will be able to test 100,000 people per week by next month.

He says there are currently 300 volunteer contact tracers across the state who can process 3,000 COVID-19 positive testing patients to determine who they were in contact with in an effort to isolate a flair up.

Lamont also urged residents to continue using social distancing and that he would be watching social distance regulations "like a hawk."