Connecticut will soon close schools, ban travel and close a large chunk of the private industry over coronavirus fear, Your Content has learned.

‘This afternoon I will sign declarations enacting civil preparedness and public health emergencies in Connecticut,’ Gov. Ned Lamont said. “We can take specific actions in response to #COVID19.’

‘The signing a civil preparedness emergency is a big deal. He could close schools, ban travel, along with shuttering state services and closing private industry,’ another expert said.

This is a developing breaking news story. It will be updated momentarily. Stay with Your Content for the latest developments.

A ‘Civil Preparedness Emergency’ is initiated in the event of a man made or natural disaster, or if there is an imminent threat of such disaster, the Governor is authorized to declare a Civil Preparedness Emergency.

It authorizes the Governor to take control of any or all parts of the civil preparedness forces and functions within the State. The Governor may also take such actions as are reasonably necessary to ‘protect the health, safety, and welfare of the people of the state, to prevent or minimize loss or destruction of property, and to minimize the effects of hostile action.

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats.

During the week of February 23, CDC reported community spread of the virus that causes COVID-19 in California (in two places), Oregon and Washington. Community spread in Washington resulted in the first death in the United States from COVID-19, as well as the first reported case of COVID-19 in a health care worker, and the first potential outbreak in a long-term care facility.

The CDC affirms that there are ongoing investigations to learn more. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information will be updated as it becomes available.

How will the coronavirus impact my community?

More cases of the coronavirus are likely to be identified in the coming days, according to the CDC. That includes a rapid increase in cases in the United States. It’s also likely that person-to-person spread will continue to occur, including in communities in the United States. It’s likely that at some point, widespread transmission of the coronavirus in the United States will occur.

Widespread transmission of the coronavirus would translate into large numbers of people needing medical care at the same time. Schools, childcare centers, workplaces, and other places for mass gatherings may experience more absenteeism. Public health and healthcare systems may become overloaded, with elevated rates of hospitalizations and deaths. Other critical infrastructure, such as law enforcement, emergency medical services, and transportation industry may also be affected. Health care providers and hospitals may be overwhelmed. At this time, there is no vaccine to protect against the coronavirus and no medications approved to treat it. Nonpharmaceutical interventions would be the most important response strategy.

The last several weeks have witnessed a series of riveting coverage for what has become a global pandemic. Your Content has followed the vital topics from readers throughout the nation, who provide us with first-hand content by the hour. Among our recent revelations: 

Stay with Your Content for the latest updates. Have a story or news tip? Contact our 24/7 newsroom at 833.336.8013 or e-mail our tip line: [email protected]