DeLauro Statement on COVID-19 Variant Confirmed in Connecticut, Urges Families to Not Lose Sight of Pandemic

DeLauro Praises President-elect Biden for Committing to Release All Available Vaccine Doses

NEW HAVEN, CT – House Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) issued this statement on the state of the coronavirus pandemic and the confirmed cases of the COVID-19 variant in New Haven County:

"We cannot lose sight of defeating the coronavirus pandemic. Today, the United States reported more than 4,100 coronavirus-related deaths—the deadliest single day on record since the beginning of the pandemic.

"Additionally, Connecticut grieved 57 deaths, the highest total since May, and confirmed its first two cases of the COVID-19 variant initially discovered in the United Kingdom. Connecticut must take this more highly contagious variant seriously. I urge everyone to continue wearing masks, social distance, and avoid gatherings with anyone outside of your household. The pandemic is not over.

"We must heed the warnings of scientists and do more at the federal level to track the new strains of COVID-19 and create and implement a comprehensive vaccine distribution plan. I am proud to see President-elect Biden has already committed to releasing all available vaccine doses, something President Trump has failed to do. This failure has led to our state getting fewer doses than requested, harming our efforts to get folks vaccinated as quickly as possible.

"When the Biden-Harris Administration begins their work on January 20, I am committed to working with them to create, fund, and implement a vaccine distribution plan that reaches all families. This critical step, that I have called for many times, is long overdue."