A sobering prediction came down from one of the state's top health officials, who says up to 20% of the state's entire population could be infected with or carry COVID-19 over the next few months.

Lamont announced he is signing an executive order that takes several actions, including prohibiting all events in the state with over 250 people. It also clarifies visitor restrictions at all nursing and convalescent homes and authorizes the DMV to extend renewal deadlines to reduce crowds.

The Connecticut Department of Public Health State Laboratory confirmed three new positive coronavirus cases, bringing the state total to six, although one is an out-of-state resident. The new cases are a Stamford woman in her 60s who just returned from Italy, a New York woman in her 20s who was at Greenwich Hospital but has returned home to recover and a Stratford child who's home recovering.

Lamont announced at the news conference that Connecticut will waive the 180-day requirement for schools, in light of all the coronavirus-related closures.

"What's expected is there will be a spring wave -- and just like you're seeing in China and South Korea with containment measures where the rates are going down -- that we'll see this again in the fall," says state epidemiologist Dr. Matthew Carter.

State lawmakers announced today the Capitol and legislative office buildings will be closed until the end of the month. Other moves included suspending all new jury trials and non-urgent court business over the next several weeks.

The Department of Corrections has suspended all social visits at state prisons and jails, and is also stopping off site or community service work details for inmates.