Conn. COVID-19 Positivity Rate at 2.82%; Hospitalizations on the Decline

Governor Ned Lamont said the state's coronavirus positivity rate is at 2.82% and hospitalizations continue to decline.

An additional 19 people have died of the virus. Connecticut's COVID-19 death toll is now 8,066.

There are 436 total hospitalizations. Of nearly 77,000 tests performed, 2,167 came back positive, according to state officials.

On Friday, the state's COVID-19 test positive rate was 2.62%.

Lamont announced that over 50 locations in 26 cities and towns across Connecticut are accepting no appointment walk-ups. For more information and a list of locations, click here.

The Community Health Center said Monday that appointments are no longer necessary to get vaccinated at their clinics statewide.

Appointments No Longer Needed at CHC Vaccination Clinics Statewide

DPH officials said this is done in an effort to have as many providers and locations as possible offering walk-up appointments where no appointments are needed. Many providers have been offering walk-up appointments for several weeks as a way to reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccine access.

In addition, health care providers now have the ability to resume use of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine following a pause. Chief Operating Officer Josh Geballe said some smaller pharmacies in Connecticut are already administering the J&J vaccine.

Hartford Healthcare is gearing up to resume giving out the COVID-19 vaccine.

66% of 18+ Adults Have Received Their First Dose of the Vaccine

The governor said two thirds of residents 18 and older have received the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine.

The 65 and up population is now at 90%.

A total of 1.8 million people have received the first dose of the vaccine. Just under 1.3 million people are what state officials call "fully vaccinated."

Vaccinated Individuals Can Get a Free Drink

The governor said that Connecticut residents who are fully vaccinated will be able to get a free drink at participating restaurants.

In order to get a free drink, residents must show their vaccination card at certain restaurants across Connecticut. The #CTDrinksOnUs campaign will take place from May 19 to 31.

A food purchase is required and there is a limit of one drink per person. Participating restaurants will determine which drinks are included.

For more information and a list of participating restaurants, click here.

How to Get an Appointment for a COVID-19 Vaccine in Connecticut

By phone: Call Connecticut’s Vaccine Appointment Assist Line at 877-918-2224, seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for scheduling at select sites.

Online: Schedule a COVID-19 vaccination appointment in VAMS, the Vaccine Administration Management System.

1. Fill out the form to let the Department of Public health know you are interested in creating an account in VAMS. If you are currently eligible to receive the vaccine then you should receive an email from VAMS to complete your registration within 12 hours. Click here to create an account.
2. Check for an email from no-reply@mail.vams.cdc.gov. Click on the link in the email and create your account. You will be prompted to retrieve a code that will be emailed to you. You will need to create a password and store it in a safe place.
   1. If you forgot your password, the "forgot password" link on the login page can only be used if you have created a password as part of your VAMS registration.
3. Complete your VAMS registration.
   1. The first question that will be asked in VAMS is “Have you already registered as a vaccine recipient with VAMS?” The answer to this question is “No.”
   2. Questions with a red asterisk are mandatory. 
   3. Insurance information does not need to be entered.
   4. You will be prompted to share some additional information about yourself.
   5. In order for VAMS to recognize your option chosen for race, click on your choice in the box on the left and click the right-pointing arrow to move your choice to the box on the right.
4. Use your zip code to search for clinics near you in VAMS.
   1. The system will automatically search for clinics within a 10-mile radius of your zip code, but you may choose up to 100 miles from the dropdown menu, which might provide more clinic locations in your search results.
   2. You might need to check multiple clinic locations to find an available appointment. Find a slot that works for you, and book your appointment.

Providers With Their Own Vaccine Sign-Ups

• CVS Pharmacy
  • Bridgeport
  • Bristol
  • Colchester
  • Coventry
  • Danbury
  • Enfield
  • Guilford
  • Hamden
  • Hartford
  • New Britain
  • New Haven
  • Norwalk
  • Putnam
  • Uncasville
  • Waterbury
  • Waterford
  • Willimantic
  • Windsor Locks
  • Winsted
• Hartford Healthcare
• Middlesex Health
• UCONN Health
• Stamford Health
• Walgreens: Access the scheduler here
  • Canaan
  • Canterbury
  • Dayville
  • Jewett City
  • Litchfield
  • Moosup
  • Putnam
  • Stafford Springs
  • Terryville
  • Thomaston
  • Torrington
  • Watertown
• Walmart. Click here to schedule your vaccine
  • Bristol
  • East Windsor
  • Hartford
  • New Haven
  • North Windham
  • Norwalk
  • Torrington
  • Waterbury
  • West Haven
• Yale New Haven Health