Connecticut Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Monday that he will not extend a statewide indoor mask mandate, citing New York City to show the restriction has not helped “curb the spike.”
The governor’s answer to the question was made during a press conference alongside a list of new COVID-19 response efforts.
A reporter asked the governor if he planned to reinstate a mask mandate to “curb the spike.”
“Well, it’s not curbing the spike down in New York City, which is probably ground zero,” Lamont answered.
“If I think about things, I certainly think about nursing homes and other congregate settings where I think the booster shot is probably the number one priority, to make sure everybody that can be boosted is boosted there. That would be my next priority,” he added.
Despite the response regarding a mask mandate, the governor has led an aggressive response in other areas in an effort to combat the Omicron variant.
The state has widely distributed COVID-19 tests. On Wednesday, Lamont noted the state had administered more than 42,000 tests with a 17.78% positivity rate.
Today’s COVID-19 update in Connecticut:
➡️42,295 tests were administered and 7,520 came back positive (17.78% rate)
➡️1,113 patients are currently hospitalized (increase of 150)Read today’s full report: https://t.co/ZFYhasZgFM pic.twitter.com/AJWiWPHNoK
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) December 29, 2021
Lamont also reported that “about 80%” of those hospitalized in Connecticut for the virus were unvaccinated, stressing the need for increased vaccination and booster shots.
Right now, about 80% of the people hospitalized for Covid are unvaccinated.
Being fully vaccinated, including a booster, is the difference between a breakthrough Covid infection that’s mild, and a severe case that could land you in hospital.
Get yours⬇️https://t.co/eooq9AT9CL
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) December 29, 2021
“Towns across Connecticut have begun announcing how and when they’re distributing the kits from the state containing at-home Covid tests and N-95 masks,” Lamont wrote on Wednesday.
Towns across Connecticut have begun announcing how and when they’re distributing the kits from the state containing at-home Covid tests and N-95 masks.
Check your town’s website to get all the details ⬇️https://t.co/IPzJhMWN3v
— Governor Ned Lamont (@GovNedLamont) December 29, 2021
In an interview on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” on Monday, the governor said, “The good news is while our infection rate is up a lot, we stabilized things at the hospital for now.”
“The good news is while our infection rate is up a lot, we stabilized things at the hospital for now.”
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont speaks to CNN’s Jim Acosta about how his state is dealing with the Coronavirus pandemic and the Omicron variant. https://t.co/j6RzMieVkw pic.twitter.com/s6Xdv5Vmpr
— Anderson Cooper 360° (@AC360) December 28, 2021
New York City recently added strict restrictions to deal with growing COVID-19 cases. Proof of vaccination is now required for many indoor activities for children as young as five years old.
The city also implemented an indoor mask mandate policy. The state of New York added an indoor mask requirement statewide on December 10:
On December 10, 2021, Governor Kathy Hochul announced masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement. This major action to address the winter surge comes as COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations rise statewide and is in alignment with the CDC’s recommendations for communities with substantial and high transmission. The State Health Commissioner issued a determination solidifying the requirement.