Coronavirus

UPDATED: Coronavirus In Connecticut

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There were 76 COVID-19 deaths reported since Friday, bringing the death toll to 6,670; hospitalizations increased by 16 to total 1,114, the Department of Public Health (DPH) reported. Residents testing positive for the virus totaled 230,125 an increase of 6,703 since Friday’s report. The state reported 5,291,895 tests completed, up 138,085. The state’s positivity rate is 4.85%. For a county-by-county breakdown of cases, go here and click on “Daily Data Report.”

Health Q&A

Question 9

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Q. We have been hearing about different scams related to the COVID-19 virus. One such scam had to do with fake COVID-19 testing. What type of scams are out there and how can they be avoided? A. In November, Bridgeport officials warned residents about a fraudulent COVID test site near Gala Foods on East Main Street.

Health Q&A

Question 8

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Q. People are worried about receiving surprise medical bills after having been treated for COVID-19. To what extent will the person be responsible for all the treatment received during their stay in the hospital? A. There is a federal law in place that covers the cost of COVID-19 testing, but there is no federal legislation regarding costs of the treatment of the virus, such as hospitalizations or extended care. Treatment costs depend on the type of health coverage the patient has.

Health Q&A

Question 7

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Q. COVID-19 affects each person who gets it somewhat differently. What symptoms should cause me to seek care and how long should I wait to seek medical care. Does any of this change based on the number of cases that are reported in my community? A. So you’ve got the sniffles and a mild cough, but no fever.

2020 In Photos

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Front-line health care workers pushed to the limit, extraordinary lines for food, surging demand for shelter  – these were some of the scenes as the pandemic swept through the state during this unprecedented year. Our photographers captured these moments and more as they illustrated a year’s worth of compelling stories. Scroll through the gallery to see C-HIT’s outstanding photography in 2020 by photographers Melanie Stengel, Steve Hamm, Carl Jordan Castro, Carol Leonetti Dannhauser and Cloe Poisson. And a shout-out to those who shared their photos of the moments our photographers couldn’t get to.

Health Q&A

Question 6

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Q. People are concerned about the isolation and negative psychological impact that the separation of family members is causing. Residents are seeing a higher number of family members suffering and a resulting high rate of suicide cases. What are the findings and what is being done about this in our communities? A. The number of people looking for help with anxiety and depression has skyrocketed from January through September 2020, according to Mental Health America.

Health Q&A

Question 5

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 Q. What regulations are expected to be in effect during the holidays as far as gathering sizes of personal family celebrations and religious services?  Will community members be prohibited from celebrating as a large family or with their congregation of faith? What are suggestions for alternative gatherings outside of the traditional large multi-generational family gathering or house of worship services? A. As of Nov.

Health Q&A

Question 4

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Q. Please provide an update on where in the process of creating a vaccine we are, and what are the plans for distribution when it becomes available? A. Vaccines normally require years of research and testing before entering clinical trials, but scientists are pushing to produce a safe, effective coronavirus vaccine by early 2021. Researchers are currently testing 44 vaccines in human clinical trials, according to the New York Times’ vaccine tracker. Briefly, here are the stages of producing a vaccine: preclinical testing, where the vaccine is tested on cells and then animals; Phase 1 safety trials, where the vaccine is given to a small number of people; Phase 2 expanded trials, where the vaccine is given to hundreds of people split into groups; Phase 3 efficacy trials, where thousands of people receive the vaccine to see if they become infected, compared to volunteers who receive a placebo.

Fines & Sanctions

State Disciplines Nurses For Drug Abuse, Photographing A Young Patient Without Consent

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Four nurses were recently disciplined by the state Board of Examiners for Nursing for drug and alcohol abuse and for photographing a patient without consent. The state placed Sara Scobie’s practical nurse license on probation for one year and fined her $500 for photographing a juvenile patient and sharing details of the patient’s personal and clinical information without parental consent, according to her signed order. Scobie was also reprimanded by the state Department of Public Health (DPH). Scobie of Milford, who was providing home care for a medically compromised child through All Pointe HomeCare of Cheshire, photographed the patient and then shared those photos without permission, according to the signed order. During the probation period Scobie cannot be employed as a nurse by any personnel provider service, home health agency, or assisted living agency, according to the order.

Health Q&A

Question 3

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Q. We heard from a woman who had asymptomatic COVID-19, discovered through a test, who recovered and later tested negative. Then, after every other member of her family developed symptomatic COVID-19, she tested positive again. Had her virus gone dormant or was she reinfected? A. “There are no confirmed reports to date of a person being re-infected with COVID-19 within three months of initial infection,” says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.