•  Confirmed cases in Connecticut continue to increase. Published reports of cases on the DPH website are likely lagging actual confirmed cases.

• There is significant uncertainty about the availability of testing sites to obtain samples. Most ambulatory sites do not have the infrastructure needed to get samples from patients safely. There are reports of some dedicated testing sites set up in Connecticut. These seem to be privately organized and have seen patients for “drive-up” testing. There are currently plans in development by local health systems to establish drive up testing centers. The timeline for implementation remains unknown, but planning seems to be further along and more detailed than at yesterday’s update.

• There remains significant uncertainty about lab availability to perform testing once samples are obtained. I have received multiple reports regarding the accessibility of testing at commercial and hospital-based labs. I have received conflicting reports regarding sample collection techniques. Turn-around times remain very uncertain, and some reports suggest as long as two weeks. Capacity is being added at multiple facilities, which should improve turn-around time, but the timeline for implementation remains unknown. A process to prioritize individual tests has not been finalized. Despite this, it seems that access to COVID-19 tests is about to increase. Find LabCorp and Quest information down below.

• LabCorp COVID-19 Service Announcement
• LabCorp COVID-19 Q&A
• COVID-19 Specimen Collection and Shipping Instructions
• Quest COVID-19 Service Announcement
• Quest COVID-19 Fact Sheet

• We are working to develop a standard clinical strategy for evaluation, diagnosis, and management of COVID-19. I have reached out to DPH and the large health systems for guidance.

• CMG has a telemedicine portal available to all members. CMG has paid to establish the platform, and there is a small monthly fee of $50 per month only for providers in a group who use the platform that month. Click here for more information about telemedicine here. Please contact Susan Loiacano for more details.

• Please click here for the recent CDC update on infection and prevention control for patients.

• Most hospitals have placed travel restrictions on employees, which may impact medical staff as well. We expect these to change rapidly, so please check before any travel. See the recent letter to YNHH medical staff here.