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Coronavirus Latest: Lamont Defends Moving Forward With Phase 3 Reopening On Thursday

Conn. Gov. Ned Lamont
Jessica Hill
/
AP

Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont defended his decision to move forward with the state’s next phase of reopening this week.

Starting Thursday, phase 3 allows indoor dining at restaurants to increase to 75 percent capacity, and relaxes restrictions at places of worship, barbers and hair salons, and outdoor venues.

Connecticut has its highest COVID-19 positive rate since June at 1.6 percent. Long Island and Westchester County, New York also have positive rates well above 1 percent.

Some Long Island superintendents and educators are concerned that the state’s COVID-19 Report Card has inaccurate information about testing and cases in school districts.

More schools on Long Island have reported student and staff cases, including Sachem, Roslyn, Islip, Bayport-Blue Point, Three Village and Commack school districts. Many have moved to online learning.

Three middle school students in Greenwich, Connecticut have tested positive for the virus after attending off-campus youth sports. Several more students and staff at Brunswick School are in quarantine.