The first case of the COVID-19 variant that originated in Brazil has been detected in Connecticut as have the first cases of two variants found in California.
The case of the P1 variant was found in a person in New Haven County, according to Dr. Albert Ko, department chair of Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases at Yale School of Medicine, and confirmed by the governor's office.
In addition, the state announced one case of the P.1.427 variant and three cases of the P.1.429 variant, which were both first detected in California.
Connecticut's daily COVID-19 positivity rate remained below 3% on Thursday, at 2.76%.
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The number of patients hospitalized for coronavirus decreased by 18 on Thursday. There are currently 384 people hosptialized for COVID-19 in Connecticut.
Another 15 people lost their lives to the virus, according to data from the Department of Public Health.
Gov. Ned Lamont provided the updated numbers during a briefing Thursday afternoon.
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The briefing came a day before Connecticut begins to ease some coronavirus restrictions. On Friday, capacity limits at restaurants, gyms, museums, houses of worship, retail stores and personal service businesses will be lifted. Social distancing and mask-wearing will still be required.
Gov. Lamont called Friday a "big day."
The state's travel restrictions will also no longer be a mandate, but rather recommendations.
Friday also marks the day that a new group of Connecticut residents will become eligible to register for COVID-19 vaccinations. Those age 45 and older will be eligible as of Friday.
Gov. Lamont said about one-third of adults in Connecticut have already received the first dose of the vaccine.
