Connecticut officials say Hartford Healthcare and Quest Diagnostics are teaming up to ramp up coronavirus testing in the state.

The two have been working together since 2014, but the partnership will allow for an additional 2,000 tests a day.

This increases tests in the state by 80%. There will also be a 24-hour hotline with staff who can help facilitate getting a test.

Gov. Ned Lamont says that the partnership is an important step to help people get back to work sooner than later.

Lamont announced 545 new positive coronavirus cases Tuesday, and that an additional 92 people have died from the virus.

He says while the state is not out of the woods yet, there has been progress due to social distancing, especially when it comes to the number of people hospitalized.

 

- There are 20,360 coronavirus cases in the state, with an increase of 545 new cases since Monday. There are also 92 new virus-related deaths, bringing the total to 1,423.

- There are 1,949 people currently hospitalized due to coronavirus, with an increase of 30. Therehave also been 64,192 coronavirus tests performed.

- Lamont says there is an average of 2,600 tests in the state a day, and that 40% of the people with coronavirus do not show symptoms, making it difficult for officials to figure out who needs to be tested.

- He says that 100,000 new N95 masks have come in for medical workers, plus another 2 million standard masks for essential workers. A hotline for health care workers and essential workers who need masks has been set up. That number is 2-1-1.

- Officials announced a partnership between Hartford Healthcare and Quest Diagnostics to increase testing in Connecticut by 80%. They say that they are working to make more testing centers around the state.

- Officials say there will be 2,000 additional tests conducted at Hartford Healthcare's five testing centers. They say that a mobile testing site will also be able to give results within 24 hours.

 

- Quest Diagnostics alone has conducted 26,000 tests in the state.

- Lamont says there is no plan to close Connecticut beaches, and that there is no change to how long schools will remain closed.

- He also says that antibody tests are already being conducted in the state.

- Lamont confirms a nursing home in Windsor has 35 deaths, and says that facilities are getting regular site visits from the Department of Public Health.