Connecticut Lodging Association
Coronavirus Update 2/19/2021
AHLA Secures Employee Vaccine Prioritization
Thanks to AHLA’s ongoing efforts, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) Categories of Essential Workers to prioritize “Traveler Accommodation” under Phase 1c of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution. This is a significant achievement that directly impacts the health and safety of hotel workers across the country. 
 
This week in partnership with UNITE HERE, AHLA renewed its call sending a letter to the National Governors Association advocating for inclusion of hotel workers in state vaccine distribution efforts further supporting the work of our state lodging association partners to engage with state decision makers. That follows AHLA’s comment with the CDC last month calling for hotel workers to be included in vaccine distribution under Phase 1c.

Coronavirus (COVID19) in Connecticut
Connecticut Update: as of February 18, 2020 4:00 p.m. portal.ct.gov/coronavirus
Overall Summary Total**; Change Since Yesterday
COVID-19 Cases 271,903; +547
COVID-19 Tests Reported; 6,376,947; +27,015
Daily Test Positivity; 2.02%
Patients Currently Hospitalized with COVID-19; 568; +16
COVID-19-Associated Deaths; 7,496; +20
**Includes confirmed plus probable cases
U.S. - COVID19: What is the current situation?
Cases & Latest Updates 2/18/21 Cases in U.S.
Total cases: 27,669,556 +69,165
Total deaths: 489,067 +2,601
Global
World Health Organization Situation Report who.int
109 594 835; cases; +363,654
2 424 060; deaths; +9,619
Connecticut News

Lamont: Essential workers, residents with preexisting conditions next to get COVID vaccine

Conn. COVID-19 Positivity Rate at 2.02%; 20 More Deaths Reported nbcconnecticut.com
National News

U.S. will send $2 billion to global Covid vaccine program targeting developing nations nbcnews.com

A drop in Covid-19 cases can be deceptive, official warns. Here's how the US can stay ahead of a variant-driven surge cnn.com
Hotel News
Tiered Marketing Approach to Hotel Recovery

Will the Hospitality and Travel Industry Recover in 2021 hotel-online.com

The Complete Guide to Virtual Tourism in 2021

Is the Hospitality Industry Finally Putting COVID in the Rear-View Mirror? hospitalitynet.org
AHLA Launches Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Resource Center
As the country forges ahead in the vaccination distribution effort, AHLA wants to ensure that our members have the necessary resources to properly educate and encourage employees to get vaccinated.
 
To that end, we have developed a resource center Employee COVID-19 Vaccination Information on our Safe Stay website that features the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other health organizations aimed at maximizing employee participation in the vaccination process. 
 
These resources include: 
STR: U.S. hotel results for week ending 13 February
HENDERSONVILLE, Tennessee—U.S. hotel occupancy increased more than 4 percentage points from the previous week, according to STR‘s latest data through 13 February. 
7-13 February 2021 (percentage change from comparable week in 2020):

  • Occupancy: 45.1% (-29.0%)
  • Average daily rate (ADR): US$99.21 (-25.7%)
  • Revenue per available room (RevPAR): US$44.72 (-47.2%)

Boosted by Valentine’s Day and the long weekend with Presidents’ Day, U.S. weekend occupancy (Friday/Saturday) came in at 58.5%, which was the highest level in the metric since mid-October. Elevated occupancy during the weekend of Presidents’ Day occurred during previous recessions as well.
Resources