Klarides-Ditria shares info for workers, small business owners

Dear Neighbors,

As my fellow elected officials and I continue to monitor the spread of the Coronavirus in Connecticut, I wanted to share some information for our workers and small business owners from the State of Connecticut's official Coronavirus web page.

SBA assistance: On March 16, the U.S. Small Business Administration approved Governor Lamont's request to begin offering disaster-relief loans to Connecticut small businesses and nonprofits. Companies in the state can now apply for loans of up to $2 million through a special page on the SBA website. SBA also has more valuable information for businesses.

Filing extensions: The Department of Revenue Services has extended deadlines for filing and payments associated with certain state business tax returns. Details are on DRS’s website.

Unemployment assistance: Workers directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic no longer must be actively searching for work to qualify for unemployment assistance. And employers who are furloughing workers can use the Department of Labor’s shared work program, which allows businesses to reduce working hours and have those wages supplemented with unemployment insurance. DOL has more information about these and other changes.

Additionally, I have included several links below for residents and business owners of the 105th district to get the most up-to-date information from local, state, and federal officials.

Coronavirus Informational Links

Federal resources:

- Centers For Disease Control: Click Here

- CDC’s latest news releases: Click Here

- Mental Health Resources: Click Here

- U.S. Department of Labor: Click Here

- U.S. Small Business Administration: Click Here

- CDC Information for Healthcare Providers: Click Here

- CDC Information for Healthcare Facilities: Click Here


State of Connecticut resources:

- State of Connecticut Official Site: Click Here

- State of Connecticut Info Hotline: Dial 2-1-1

- List of Emergency Orders Issued: Click Here

- State of Connecticut School resources: Click Here

- State of Connecticut Business resources: Click Here

- Childcare Provider resources: Click Here

- State of Connecticut Department of Labor: Click Here

- Department of Labor Unemployment Insurance FAQ: Click Here

- Department of Economic and Community Development: Click Here

Local resources:
- Griffin Health Coronavirus Information: Click Here


DERBY:
- Naugatuck Valley Health District (Derby): Click Here
- Town Website: Click Here
- Derby Public Schools: Click Here

BEACON FALLS:
- Naugatuck Valley Health District (Beacon Falls): Click Here
- Town Website: Click Here
- Region 16 Public Schools: Click Here

SEYMOUR:
- Naugatuck Valley Health District (Seymour): Click Here
- Town Website: Click Here
- Seymour Public Schools: Click Here


If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Nicole.Klarides-Ditria@housegop.ct.gov or call 860-240-8700.


Sincerely,

State Rep. Nicole Klarides-Ditria

Health District says COVID 19 circulating in Valley, expects increase in cases

Sharing from a post today (3-17) on the Naugatuck Valley Health District Facebook page:

Naugatuck Valley COVID-19 Update

The Naugatuck Valley Health District (NVHD), like many other jurisdictions in Connecticut, has learned that there is at least one laboratory confirmed positive case and a presumed positive case of COVID-19 among residents in our jurisdiction.

We expect that the number of confirmed cases will rise with the increased availability of commercial laboratory testing. Additionally, community spread/transmission is now occurring. Community spread means people have been infected with the virus in an area, including some who are not sure how or where they became infected.

No further details about the residents will be provided to protect their privacy. In the age of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, commonly referred to as HIPAA, no disease outbreak on this scale has ever been experienced. However, it is important to remember that during a public health emergency, such as a disease outbreak, the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules still apply and that the privacy of our residents must be protected to the extent possible.

How will I know if I came in close contact with a confirmed positive case of COVID-19?

• Those who have come in contact with individuals who are positive with COVID-19 outside of a healthcare setting are referred to as “community contacts” and will be notified by the local health department for the town they reside in. Individuals will be advised to self-quarantine and monitor their symptoms.

• Individuals who reside in the same household as a confirmed positive case will be required to self-quarantine with public health supervision performed by the local health department.

• If an exposure occurs within a healthcare setting, that agency will take the lead on contacting and monitoring the individual(s) for the duration of their self-quarantine.

If you think you have been exposed to COVID-19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice. Please do not show up without calling first.

What can I do to help prevent the spread of COVID-19?
There is currently no vaccine or antiviral medication to prevent or lessen the impact of this particular coronavirus so the best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to it and avoid close contact with people who are sick.

It is extremely important to practice social distancing and stay home as much as possible. We understand this may be disruptive and difficult, and may even seem extreme but these are the strongest public health steps we can take as a community to slow the spread of this virus, protect the most at-risk members of our community from serious illness, and prevent our healthcare systems from becoming overwhelmed.

Stay home if you are sick, except to get medical care. Please call your medical provider before showing up.

Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.

Where can I find information about laboratory confirmed cases in CT?
At the state level, the latest COVID-19 testing data which can be accessed at www.ct.gov/coronavirus.

NVHD will also post aggregate testing data when it becomes available on our webpage www.nvhd.org/coronaviruses/COVID-19.

Where can I find additional information?
If you have any general questions related to COVID-19 after reviewing this information, you can call 2-1-1 or text "CTCOVID" to 898211. This hotline is available 24 hours a day and in multiple languages.

Additionally, Griffin Health is offering an information hotline at 203-204-1053 for patients, visitors, and community residents who have questions about COVID-19. Griffin caregivers will be available to answer questions Monday – Friday from 8:00AM – 5:00PM.

Online resources:
• www.coronavirus.gov
• www.ct.gov/coronavirus
• www.nvhd.org/coronaviruses/COVID-19

For tips on taking care of your behavioral health and coping with stress and/or anxiety during an infectious disease outbreak, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/Coronavirus/Pages/Behavioral-Health or https://www.cdc.gov/…/…/prepare/managing-stress-anxiety.html.

Naugatuck Valley Health District will continue to post updates and information on our social media pages (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIN).

Hazardous waste, paint collection day in Naugatuck postponed

The Naugatuck Valley Council of Governments (NVCOG) has postponed its Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) and Paint Collection Day that was scheduled to take place April 4 in Naugatuck due to the developing CODV-19 crisis.

NVCOG HHW events serve the towns of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Bethlehem, Cheshire, Derby, Middlebury, Naugatuck, Oxford, Prospect, Seymour, Southbury, Thomaston, Waterbury, Watertown, Wolcott and Woodbury.

The next event currently scheduled will take place at Crosby High School in Waterbury on July 18, 2020.

Please future updates this program, please visit NVCOG’s HHW webpage: http://nvcogct.org/content/household-hazardous-waste as well as look for posts on social media channels and on local, municipal websites. 

Information on how to properly dispose of common household items is also featured on    the NVCOG HHW webpage.

*Shared from the Valley Independent Sentinel.

Food assistance available at several locations in Valley

Sharing from Boys and Girls Club of the Lower Naugatuck Valley Facebook page:

In other news, Happy St. Patrick's Day

Sandra Boynton's art work always makes me smile!

Ansonia Police seek public's help in locating teen

From Ansonia Police Department March 15 at 11:48 PM 
UPDATE -- CAROLINE WINEK RETURNED HOME SAFELY, THANK YOU FOR SHARING

Caroline Winek

From Ansonia Police Department Facebook page:

RUNAWAY / MISSING JUVENILE

Caroline Winek, age 15, was last seen in the area of Savelle Road today [Sunday] around 7:30 P.M. 

Caroline is 5'6" tall, 125 pounds with blonde hair and brown eyes wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black sweatpants. 

The Ansonia Police Department is looking for the public's assistance in locating Caroline. 

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police department at 203-735-1885.

Recuperation journey: Memory from March 17, 2017

Facebook memory reminds us that wintry weather was here in the Valley on St. Patrick's Day three years ago. 🍀