Bits and pieces: Conn. inauguration day; new laws effective Jan. 1; hospital bed capacity and COVID-19 stats updated

Posted By: Staff January 4, 2023

2023 Connecticut inauguration events set today

Inauguration events are scheduled throughout the day, beginning at 10 a.m. with Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz receiving the oath, while House and Senate candidates will take their oaths in their respective chambers. The day ends with an inaugural ball at the Bushnell beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Bristol’s State House Representatives will be Cara Pavalock-D’Amato (R-77), Joe Hoxha (R-78) and Mary Fortier (D-79) and Bristol’s State Senator will be Henri Martin (R-31).

Gov. Ned Lamont’s inauguration will be held at 12 noon in the William A. O’Neill State Armory with his State of the State address in the House Chamber at 1 p.m.

The governor’s inauguration ceremony is open to the public on a first come, first served basis. Doors will open at 11 a.m. Attendees are being asked to arrive early and refrain from bringing large bags to ensure smooth admittance through the required security protocols.

During the ceremony, the state’s constitutional officers – Gov. Lamont, Attorney Gen. William Tong, Secretary of the State-elect Stephanie Thomas, Treasurer-elect Erick Russell, and Comptroller-elect Sean Scanlon – will receive the oath of office. Additionally, Lamont will deliver remarks about his vision for Connecticut.

A music performance will also be given by a student group from the Ana Grace Academy of the Arts Elementary School in Bloomfield.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the honorees will exit the building to a 19-gun salute and military helicopter flyover from the Connecticut National Guard.

Following the inauguration ceremony, Lamont will deliver the 2023 State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly in the House Chamber of the State Capitol. It is open to legislators, invited guests, and media.

The 2023 Connecticut Inaugural Ball will be held at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts on 166 Capitol Ave. in Hartford. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. to midnight. Entertainment will be provided by The Bacon Brothers band and DJ April Larkin.

Laws taking effect Jan. 1

State laws taking effect this week include those dealing with cannabis possession charges being cleared, a new expanded bottle bill, lead poisoning safety standards, and breast and ovarian cancer screening coverage.

Connecticut residents convicted of certain cannabis possession charges will have their records automatically cleared, and other specified charges can be petitioned for erasure as well.

The bottle bill expands the types of bottles and cans accepted in the 5-cent return program to now include teas, hard seltzers, ciders, energy drinks and coffee.

The Lead poison safety provision strengthens Connecticut’s lead poisoning testing standards to align with federal standards and will lower the threshold for youth testing levels that trigger parental notification or home inspection.

Regarding women’s health coverage, certain commercial health insurance policies will be required to cover mammograms, ultrasounds, MRIs for breast screenings, breast biopsies, certain prophylactic mastectomies, breast reconstruction surgery, BRCA 1 and 2 testing, and routine ovarian cancer screenings.

For a full list of laws going into effect Jan. 1, click here.

Hospital bed capacity Bristol Hospital

As of Jan. 3, 61.3 percent or on average 82.1 of 134 adult staffed hospital beds up from 42.54 percent or 57 of 134 adult staffed beds were occupied at Bristol Hospital, according to the State of Connecticut’s Data and Analytics division.

During the same week, 64 percent or 9 of 14 staffed ICU beds down from 78.57 percent or 11 of 14 staffed ICU beds were occupied from the previous reporting period.

Latest COVID-19 stats

Bristol’s COVID-19 positivity rate is 11.5 percent up down from 10.2 percent a week ago with 62 positive cases up from 41 positive cases, leaving Bristol in the high category with over 15 cases per 100,000 people. Hartford County is in the medium category.

The CDC recommends that people at high risk for severe illness, talk to their healthcare provider about whether to need to wear a mask and take other precautions. In addition, the CDC reminds people to take the following measures:

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccines
  • Get tested if you have symptoms
  • People may choose to mask at any time. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 should wear a mask.
  • People who are immunocompromised, can learn more about how to protect themselves here.

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