Gov. Ned Lamont announced how the state will eventually reopen, but did not commit to a timeline, as the number of COVID-19 cases and deaths are still rising.

Another 1,100 cases were confirmed in the past 24 hours, bringing the total to 15,884.

Another 103 deaths were recorded, bringing that total to 971.

Nearly 40% of the deaths occurred in nursing homes throughout the state.

The number of new hospitalizations is up by 18 patients, bringing the number to 1,926. That is the second time this week the number has been below 25.

The governor says that number will be especially important when deciding when to lift current restrictions.

Former Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, of Greenwich, and Yale Epidemiologist Dr. Albert Ko will lead the effort to reopen the state.

They say in order for the state to reopen, Connecticut must be "out of the surge" of the virus. That means a 14-day decrease in hospitalizations of coronavirus.

"This is not only important in terms of controlling the outbreak, but we need to make sure we're out of this surge, and that we protect our hospitals," said Ko.

Officials also stressed there needs to be an adequate supply of PPE for health care workers and the community.

Lamont says the White House made it clear the decision to reopen is up to each state individually and must be done in phases.

The state advisory board says it's considering opening the state incrementally by region, industry or maybe both.

No matter the timeline, officials say most of the social distancing measures in place now must continue for the foreseeable future.

"It's a business decision, more importantly it's a public health decision and those two are going to be made together with a focus on the public health, something Dr. Fauci emphasizes as well," said Lamont.