Connecticut
As of April 13th
Data updates on COVID-19 testing in Connecticut
The total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 has risen to 12,035 statewide. To date, more than 41,220 patients have been tested in Connecticut. Approximately 1,654 patients have been hospitalized. The total number of COVID-19 associated fatalities statewide is 554. It should be noted that the day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to weeks.
Governor Lamont signs executive order establishing COVID-19 recovery centers for nursing home residents
On Saturday, Governor Lamont signed an executive order implementing the medical surge plan for long-term care facilities he announced on Wednesday, which will establish COVID-19 recovery centers in certain nursing homes throughout the state that will accept patients who can be discharged from acute care hospitals but are still impacted by COVID-19 infection.
The order establishes the first two COVID-19 recovery centers at Sharon Health Care Center in Sharon and Northbridge Healthcare Center in Bridgeport, and gives authority to Department of Public Health (DPH) Commissioner Renée D. Coleman-Mitchell to create additional centers at other locations throughout the state as needed. Commissioner Coleman-Mitchell said that she intends to authorize the formation of an additional recovery center at Torrington Health and Rehabilitation Center in Torrington, and is in the process of finalizing details for more recovery centers in other locations to be announced in the coming days.
Georgia
As of April 13th
Daily State Public Health stats
State cases are up to 13,315 at noon today as compared to 12,555 Sunday night and 11,859 on Friday at 7 p.m. Georgia is up to 464 deaths up from 442 Sunday night and 425 at 7 p.m. Friday. 2,589 patients are hospitalized as compared to 2,518 on Sunday night and 2,454 at 7 p.m. Friday. Dougherty, Fulton and Cobb Counties have the most cases in our State.
- IHME predicts that Georgia will peak on April 27 with 94 deaths that day. IHME predicts a shortage of 459 ICU beds and 877 ventilators.
- The State of GA executed a contract with PAE to build a 200-hospital bed alternate care facility at the GA World Congress Center.
- Georgia hospitals will receive US$792m in funding from HHS to help combat the COVID-19 outbreak. It is a portion of the US$30b in CARES Act funding being released today.
Local:
- Gwinnett County Schools have joined Cobb in going to a 4-day school week.
Kansas
As of April 11th
The Kansas Supreme Court upheld Governor Kelly’s Executive Order limiting religious events to 10 or fewer people
North Carolina
As of April 13th
Coronavirus Update
- At least 4,559 people in 92 North Carolina counties have tested positive for the coronavirus. There are at least 351 confirmed cases statewide of people recovering from the virus (note: may be low as many counties are not reporting).
- At least 91 people have died in North Carolina and 331 people are hospitalized.
- “Social distancing” rules for retailers, including limiting the number of customers inside, take effect on April 13 under an order by Gov. Roy Cooper.
Grocery Stores Prepare for Tightened Social Distancing Requirements (WRAL) As North Carolina heads into the peak of the coronavirus pandemic, social distancing has become absolutely necessary to reduce exposure for everyone. Many stores that are still open have started announcing new measures this week for tightening social distancing requirements.
NC House Moving Toward April 28 Session for COVID-19 Votes (WRAL) In the House, at least, legislative committees will likely meet remotely to shepherd legislation through the process while avoiding mass gatherings, Floor votes need to be in person, though, and those logistics are still being discussed. It’s possible the House will use its upstairs gallery to space members out and hold votes open for hours so representatives can come in and out to cast their votes, much like Congress does.
NCDMV Asks Lawmakers to Extend License, Inspection Deadlines During COVID-19 Outbreak (Raleigh News & Observer) The coronavirus outbreak has changed almost every aspect of life in North Carolina, but the deadlines for renewing driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations and getting car and truck inspections are not among them. Now the state Division of Motor Vehicles has asked legislators to let it extend those deadlines during emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pandemic At-Home Learning Without Reliable Internet Service (NC Public Press) For students who live in rural areas, getting access to a reliable internet connection can be a challenge. Their struggle is even more pronounced as public schools across the state have closed and moved to virtual learning due to the coronavirus pandemic. School districts are trying to help students in these isolated areas get access to the same online schoolwork that their peers have. Some schools have turned to creative tactics, according to Beverly Emory, deputy superintendent for district support at the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.
“A New Reality” 1 in 4 Charlotte Area Renters Missed April Rent Payments, Study Shows (Charlotte Observer) In another sign of the coronavirus’ economic destruction, a new study found that nearly 1 in 4 Charlotte-area tenants did not pay their rent within the first week of April, when it is typically due. Charlotte’s rate of people who did not pay rent is lower than the national average of nearly 1 in 3, but it offers a glimpse into the financial pain many residents are feeling as the state sheds jobs.
Initiative Aims to Connect Patients to Addiction Treatment by Building Better Networks (NC Health News) As coronavirus tears through North Carolina, upending nearly every aspect of life, some experts are focusing on another ongoing crisis that has gotten less attention in recent weeks: opioid overdoses. Overdoses of both prescription and illegal opioids killed an average of five North Carolinians a day in 2018, according to data from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. By comparison, 53 North Carolinians died of COVID-19 since March 25, which seems like a lot, but remains less than the average daily toll from opioids.
Watchdogs Struggle to Keep Spotlight on Congressional Ethics Amid Coronavirus Crisis (Durham Herald Sun) Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell says he isn’t speaking to his members about how to steer clear of possible ethics violations during the coronavirus crisis, even as two Senate Republicans are facing accusations of using information from a closed briefing about the looming global pandemic to inform stock sales. The Senate Ethics Committee has shown no sign that it is actively pursuing an investigation into the two GOP senators under scrutiny — Sens. Richard Burr of North Carolina and Kelly Loeffler of Georgia.
Sens Britt and Chaudhuri: Bridge Loans Would Help Small Businesses Recover from Coronavirus Closings (Fayetteville Observer Op-Ed) Two North Carolina Senators suggest a bipartisan effort to help small businesses. While the federal government’s Small Business Association Disaster Loan Fund will help many small businesses immediately, a Main Street Emergency Bridge Loan can provide additional cash flow to stabilize restaurants and hotels.
Other News
North Carolina Ports Complete Turning Basin Expansion Project (NC Ports) The North Carolina State Ports Authority is ready to welcome the largest container ships calling on the United States East Coast following the completion of Phase II of the Turning Basin Expansion Project at the Port of Wilmington. The expansion allows the port to accommodate ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) with a length of 1,200 feet.
Group Sues for More Robust NC Voter Roll Cleanup, Singles Out Guilford and Mecklenburg (AP) A conservative-leaning group sued North Carolina election officials on Thursday, accusing them of not doing enough to thin out voter registration rolls as federal law directs.
Texas
As of April 13th
Governor Abbott conducted small business announcement via Zoom and conducted a short news briefing from the Texas Capitol at 11:30 a.m. today.
The Governor began the news briefing portion with the latest numbers and what he called “glimmers of hope” in the COVID incidence data.
Today’s COVID Texas numbers:
- 13,827 confirmed cases (3,047 in Harris County/Houston)
- 286 fatalities
- 2,269 estimated recovered (this is a newly tracked number)
- 133,000 total tested
- 1,176 currently in TX hospitals
- COVID+ cases in 178 of Texas’s 254 counties.
The Glimmers of Hope Abbott reference stems from an apparent reduction in the increase in those testing positive, and early trend (3-4 days) in the reduction of the percentage increase the in the number of positive cases slowing from about 12 percent last week to 10 percent yesterday.
Later this week, Governor Abbott will announce a path to economic recovery, including ways to safety reopen the Texas economy. In response to a media question today, Abbott said it would be based on data, medical advice and information and on what kind of businesses can start to be safety reopened.
In a Zoom conference earlier today, Governor Abbott made the following announcement with John Waldron, President and COO of Goldman Sachs, CEO of LiftFund Janie Barrera. Also joining were Brent Reaves, owner of Smokey John’s Bar-B-Que in Dallas, Patricia and Clint Butler, owners of Coffeecionado Community Roasters in San Antonio, and Michele and Mitch Allen, owners of iRun Texas in San Antonio.
Goldman Sachs and the LiftFund, along with other community development financial institutions (CDFIs), are partnering to provide US$50 million in loans to small businesses in Texas that have been affected by COVID-19 as part of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. These loans, made through the US Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), will primarily be used for payroll so that employees can continue to receive paychecks and small businesses can retain their employees and will be partially or wholly forgiven.
Goldman Sachs will provide the capital as part of its US$550 million commitment to COVID-19 relief, and LiftFund, alongside other CDFIs, will administer the funding to qualified small businesses. If all stipulations are met, small business can have their loans forgiven in full by the SBA. Business owners can apply for a PPP loan and find more information about the program on the LiftFund website.
LiftFund is a non-profit organization, headquartered in San Antonio, that helps small business owners with limited access to capital. The company offers small business loans and minority business loans for entrepreneurs. LiftFund partners with SBA lenders and other lending institutions to provide startup loans, SBA 504 Loans, and microloans in Texas, and throughout the South Eastern US. In 2018, LiftFund had 591 donors, 118 investors, 500 partners, and 100 employees.
On Sunday, Governor Abbott Extended Disaster Declaration For COVID-19
Governor Greg Abbott on Sunday issued a proclamation extending his Disaster Declaration for all Texas counties in response to COVID-19. Originally issued on March 13th, the Disaster Declaration provides the state a number of resources to effectively serve Texans as the Lone Star State continues to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
“By extending my Disaster Declaration, we are ensuring the state of Texas continues to have adequate resources and capabilities to support our communities and protect public health,” said Governor Abbott. “I urge all Texans to continue practicing social distancing and abide by the guidelines laid out by the CDC and my Executive Orders to slow the spread of COVID-19.”
Also yesterday, Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott Announced Stars Of Texas Storytime
Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott om Easter Sunday announced Stars of Texas Storytime—a virtual story time program for children and families during the COVID-19 response. Every Tuesday and Friday at 10:00 AM, special guests from across Texas will read children’s books via Facebook Live on Governor Greg Abbott’s page. The First Lady will kick off the program this upcoming Tuesday, April 14th alongside Peaches and Pancake, the First Dogs of Texas. The First Lady will begin by reading Night-Night Texas by Katherine Sully, followed by Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault.
“As Texas families stay at home because of COVID-19, it is important that we find ways to connect as a community while maintaining social distancing,” said First Lady Cecilia Abbott. “I am thrilled to launch the Stars of Texas Storytime program, which will give families across the state an opportunity to hear children’s stories read by influential Texans. As the Lone Star State continues to respond to COVID-19, this program will provide both entertainment and education for Texas children, as well as a helping hand for Texas parents.”
Virginia
As of April 13th
Gov. Ralph Northam has amended Virginia’s next biennial budget to freeze new spending and delay a minimum wage hike, as well as the ability of local government employees to unionize, until May 2021. The governor’s administration described the actions as an attempt to balance progressive priorities with the reality of the COVID-19 outbreak that has devastated economies.
The delay provides legislators with additional opportunities to revisit those measures in a potential special session later this year, and in the next regular legislative session in January 2021. Delegates and senators are scheduled to return to Richmond on April 22 to consider the governor’s amendments. House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn has told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that she hopes to hold reconvened session outdoors, with a backup location indoors, although sites are still being evaluated.
As of Monday, April 13, Virginia officials reported 5,747 cases of COVID-19 in Virginia, with 903 hospitalizations and 149 deaths. The state remains under a stay-at-home order issued by the governor.
Meanwhile, Northam has signed the Virginia Clean Economy Act, which trades higher consumer electricity bills in exchange for the early retirement of coal plants, greater use of renewable energy and a carbon-free electricity grid by 2050, and the Clean Energy and Community Flood Preparedness Act, which establishes a carbon dioxide cap-and-trade program and a low-interest loan program to help communities deal with recurrent flooding.
He signed House Bill 1537, which authorizes localities to remove Confederate monuments, and House Bill 972, which decriminalizes simple possession of marijuana and assesses a US$25 civil penalty. The governor approved making Election Day a state holiday, expanded early and absentee voting, and repealed voter ID requirements. He proposed delaying a ban on electronic skill games and instead taxing their profits, a move that is expected to generate up to US$150 million in annual revenue if legislators agree to it.
The governor approved lowering vehicle registration fees while hiking the gas tax by 5 cents per gallon over each of the next two years, and affirmed a budget amendment that doubles the cigarette tax to 60 cents per pack. Northam also expanded parole eligibility and announced a budget amendment allowing for the release of qualifying inmates with less than a year remaining on their sentence, a step that criminal justice reform advocates have urged in response to the spread of the novel coronavirus.
The governor’s administration spent weeks juggling its COVID-19 response with work on 1,291 bills passed this year by the General Assembly, including a raft of proposals designed to empower workers and place new restrictions on businesses. The session marked the first in more than 25 years where Democrats controlled the executive and legislative branches, and culminated in approval of a budget that included expansion of education programs, state-funded healthcare and more.
Since then, however, Northam issued a state of emergency and gradually escalated the response to the pandemic. Public schools closed through the rest of the academic year; colleges and universities transitioned to online instruction; correctional facilities suspended visitation; most entertainment and recreational activities and businesses shut down; and restaurants and breweries shifted to delivery or drive-through to serve the public.
A surge in unemployment forced state officials to upgrade the state employment commission’s server capacity and expand call center staffing. More than 147,000 Virginians applied for unemployment benefits in the week ending April 4, bringing the three-week total to 306,143. The figure equals all of the previous weeks’ claims from 2018, 2019, and 2020 combined, according to the Virginia Employment Commission, and affects sectors ranging from food service to transportation to manufacturing. Medicaid enrollment also has jumped; more than 400,000 Virginians have enrolled in the state-run health insurance program. Tax revenue collections have plummeted.
Legislators are expected to take up a proposal on April 22 that pushes next month’s municipal elections to November as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing law authorizes the governor to delay primary elections by two weeks, and Northam has already announced he is exercising that authority with respect to congressional primaries scheduled for June 9. Those elections will now be held on June 23.
The more densely populated Richmond, Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions have shown the greatest numbers of COVID-19 cases. The governor has approved plans to build temporary hospital facilities at the Dulles Expo Center in Northern Virginia, as well as at the Richmond and Hampton Roads convention centers, to alleviate pressure on existing hospital facilities. Design and construction are expected to take six weeks, which would allow the first patients to be admitted at the temporary facilities in mid-May, Northam said.
New modeling from the University of Virginia has shown COVID-19 cases are expected to peak in Virginia in late April or early May, Northam said. A premature return to normal would result in a more significant surge in cases, he said.
While non-essential businesses in Virginia have been ordered to remain closed until April 23, Northam said on Monday that he will extend their closure but declined to provide details on the length of that extension until his press conference on Wednesday.
Wisconsin
As of April 13th
- An extraordinary session of the Wisconsin State Legislature is set to begin tomorrow (Tuesday). According to the Friday release by Legislative leader it had not been determined as of Friday, which day each chamber would meet. As soon as the proposed legislation is released we will distribute.
- Today at 4:00 p.m. clerks can begin counting ballots from last week’s April 7th Spring Election. Clerks were prohibited by a federal court from starting to count ballots until that time to allow for April 7th postmarked absentee ballots to arrive. Elections of note that will be announced are; WI Supreme Court election, Democratic Presidential Preference Primary, Milwaukee Mayor, Milwaukee County Executive and various other local elections in which state lawmakers were running for office.
Gov. Evers Announces Second Alternative Care Facility at Alliant Energy Center
Gov. Tony Evers announced on Saturday that an application has been submitted to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to begin the development of a second alternative care facility (ACF) in Wisconsin to prepare for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases. The Army Corp of Engineers has partnered with states to build ACFs to support existing, local medical infrastructures in response to the spread of COVID-19. (link to release)
Updated numbers from over the weekend
In addition to the daily numbers that are released from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) we will also be including numbers from the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA) COVID-19 Situational Awareness Update site.
Of note over the weekend are the following new numbers (as of latest 4/12/2020 postings):
- 35,916 negative tests
- +1,455 reported on Saturday
- + 1,236 reported on Sunday
- 3,341 confirmed cases
- +145 reported on Saturday
- +128 reported on Sunday
- 144 deaths
- +9 reported on Saturday
- +7 reported on Sunday
- 443 Hospital Admissions (176 patients in ICU)
- +2 admissions reported on Saturday (-1 ICU patient)
- -2 admissions reported on Sunday (-8 ICU patients)
Daily numbers
Cumulative numbers
