ENFIELD, Conn. (AP) - More than 5,600 Connecticut residents have tested positive for coronavirus and 189 have died, Gov. Ned Lamont said Sunday afternoon.
More than 23,000 coronavirus tests have been done by state and private laboratories. About 1,142 people have been hospitalized.
Lamont signed his 22nd coronavirus-related executive order, protecting health care professionals and health care facilities, including nursing homes and field hospitals, from civil liability for actions supporting the state’s response to the pandemic.
The order also prevents health insurance companies from charging clients more for out-of-network emergency services and prevents hospitals from charging uninsured patients more than Medicare would for their COVID-19 treatment.
INMATE UNREST
More than 100 inmates have been transferred after coronavirus-related unrest at the Carl Robinson Correctional Institution, state corrections officials said.
Some inmates were removed from housing units on Friday night after they threatened to organize hunger strikes and work stoppages to protest the facility’s rules aimed at avoid the spread of the new coronavirus, officials said.
The prison is limiting inmates’ movements and requiring meals to be served within housing units.
On Saturday, a correctional officer was punched in the face while interceding in a fight between three inmates. The officer was taken to a hospital for treatment.
According to the Connecticut Department of Corrections, 19 inmates were transferred to Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, pending hearings for administrative segregation placement.
Another 86 inmates were moved to other prisons around the state as a safety precaution, a department spokeswoman said in an email.
The Carl Robinson Correctional Institution in Enfield houses approximately 1,200 medium security inmates.
“The department is working around the clock to keep people safe and healthy during an unprecedented heath pandemic,” spokeswoman Karen Martucci said. “The department has zero tolerance for acts of violence against DOC personnel, or orchestrated efforts to disrupt operations.”
Please read our comment policy before commenting.