Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:
Eleven towns and cities in Connecticut are listed as the state’s new “red alert” COVID-19 hot spots. The list includes most of New London County, Hartford and Danbury. These local governments are allowed to roll back on reopening plans to control the virus.
Fairfield, Bethany, Prospect and Waterbury have daily positive rates just below the “red alert” threshold.
Connecticut’s COVID-19 positive rate has dropped to 1.3 percent, after exceeding 2 percent this week. Long Island and Westchester County, New York have COVID-19 positive rates around 1 percent.
New York health officials say they will release guidance on high school winter sports in early November ahead of January competitions, if cases stay low.
A memo from the state to Connecticut school superintendents says students are expected to take standardized tests in spring 2021. Students were exempt from the exams during the peak of the pandemic this year. The state will provide guidance for how in-person and virtual exams might happen.