Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has released guidelines for how bad an outbreak would need to be in different regions of the state before shutdown orders went back into effect.
Geographical zones on Long Island would need to have a COVID-19 infection rate above 4%, or a one week rolling average of 10 cases per 100,000 residents. Zones are defined by zip codes or census tracts.
Long Island and Westchester County, New York have positive rates of about 1.2%. Connecticut’s COVID-19 positive rate is around 3%. Governors Ned Lamont and Andrew Cuomo are discouraging non-essential travel between their states.
Connecticut’s economy shrank by nearly one-third after the first wave of the virus hit the state. Researchers at the University of Connecticut say the state’s economy might not recover for at least a decade due to business shutdowns.
Cities and towns in Connecticut that are classified as "red alert" hotspots are allowed to scale back on reopening plans. Economists worry that increased cases plus cold weather approaching will result in future shutdown orders.
Norwalk, Connecticut Mayor Harry Rilling is in quarantine after several family members test positive for COVID-19.
The Connecticut Department of Housing has reopened the state’s pandemic rental assistance program. It’s been closed since the beginning of September after the agency was swamped with applications. Lamont allocated an additional $20 million to reopen the program to new applicants.