© 2023 WSHU
NPR News & Classical Music
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Coronavirus Latest: Why We Look At The 7-Day Positive Test Rate

The Digital Artist
/
Pixabay

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

Connecticut’s state university system will pilot a smartphone app starting Friday to alert students and staff if they've come in close contact with an infected person.

The 7-day positive COVID-19 test rate in Connecticut is 4.1%, according to data provided by the state on Tuesday. WSHU has moved to analyzing the 7-day positive test rate because it is the metric that is used by health officials to make decisions based on school reopenings, travel restrictions, and business shutdowns.

On Long Island, the 7-day positive test rate is 2.44%, which is more than the rest of the state at 2.27%. However, Long Island’s daily positive test rate has exceeded 3% this week for the first time in months.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has warned that cases will likely increase in the coming cold, winter months. Cuomo has said Long Island would shut down again if it reaches 4% for a week.

Several hospital systems in Connecticut will be closed to almost all visitors due to a resurgence of cases in the state. During the spring, hospitals had tightened restrictions to only allow a child, pregnant mother or hospice patient to have a visitor for emotional support.