Here’s the latest on the coronavirus outbreak in the region:
Local health departments are now tasked with opening COVID-19 vaccination centers for New Yorkers 64 and over. The centers will provide transportation for homebound seniors.
On Long Island, the seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate ticked up to 4.1%. The rest of New York remains at 3.35%. Hospitalizations in the state have fallen to their lowest level since early December.
The seven-day positivity rate in Connecticut decreased to 2.56%.
Governor Ned Lamont’s budget office says Connecticut has spent more than $2 billion in responding to the pandemic.
Purchases include at least $250 million on bulk orders of personal protective equipment and over $180 million in COVID-19 testing. These types of expenses were covered by federal disaster assistance and coronavirus relief funds.
But over $100 million in state tax dollars have been budgeted for COVID-19 expenses.