BRIEFING UPDATES:

-21,739 tests were administered and 1,319 came back positive (6.1% positivity rate, highest since June)

-321 patients are hospitalized (increase of 12)

-There have been 5 COVID-related deaths

-Any town in the red or orange, can go back to phase 2.

-Actions to slow the spread: expanded options to revert back too phase 2, evaluating winter sports, nursing home testing and gathering & mask enforcement.

-11 new towns added to red alert category.

-Fairfield moves down to code orange. Gov. Ned Lamont says orange towns can now roll back to phase 2.

-K-12 COVID-19 Dashboard: Staff cases reported - 123, up 18. Student cases reported - 233, up 3.

-Lamont says he is looking at suspending liquor licenses for "restaurants masquerading as bars."

-Stamford and New Haven are rolling back to phase 2.