By Elio Gugliotti, Editor
The number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 and deaths related to the coronavirus in Connecticut continued to increase Tuesday.
As of Tuesday, the state reported 3,128 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 69 residents have died from the coronavirus.
The number of cases increased by 557 since Monday. The number of deaths increased by 33 from figures released Monday. The additional deaths reported Tuesday included 16 that occurred since Monday, and 17 others that were reported to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner but had not been previously reported to the state Department of Public Health.
The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 increased to 608. More than 15,600 residents have been tested for the coronavirus to date, according to state officials.
On Tuesday, the Naugatuck Valley Health District reported 16 confirmed cases in Naugatuck and four in Beacon Falls. On Monday, the health district reported nine cases in Naugatuck and two in Beacon Falls.
There were also 17 Naugatuck residents and eight Beacon Falls residents that were tested but didn’t have the coronavirus, according to the health district.
The Naugatuck Valley Health District’s jurisdiction also includes Ansonia, Derby, Seymour and Shelton. The health district reported a total of 105 cases in the six towns it serves and four deaths, all of which were Shelton residents.
In a message to residents, Naugatuck Mayor N. Warren “Pete” Hess stressed the importance for people to follow restrictions in place and practice social distancing.
“Social distancing is necessary for everyone. No matter your age. Anyone can be a carrier, and the virus attacks people of all ages. Here’s my advice in a nutshell. Don’t be a knot head; follow the rules. Protect yourself, your loved ones and anyone you’ve come in contact with,” Hess said.
Prospect is under the jurisdiction of the Chesprocott Health District, which also serves Wolcott and Cheshire. According to state figures, there were four confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Prospect as of Tuesday.
There are discrepancies in figures reported by the Naugatuck Valley Health District and the state. The health district said its data is preliminary and subject to change. According to the state, its figures released Tuesday don’t include 77 cases pending address validation.
