It has been 50 days since The Newtown Bee published its first branded "COVID-19 Update" — and May 8 marks the production of the 12th COVID-19 video outreach message in cooperation with First Selectman Dan Rosenthal. (View the video below)

Since that first local update focusing on the novel coronavirus threat to residents, Newtown has lost 14 of older citizens to COVID-related illness, seen hundreds of local businesses shuttered or significantly altering operations, and countless activities including spring sports, graduations, weddings, and perhaps most sadly, many funerals canceled, downsized, or postponed.

Even the community's venerable newspaper was forced to pivot to temporarily reporting all the local news online here at newtownbee.com.

But May 8 could mark something of a turning point. Ahead of sitting in for the latest COVID-19 video message, Health District Director Donna Culbert told The Newtown Bee that nearly half of the 140 residents reportedly testing positive for the virus after exhibiting symptoms, have recovered.

And as Culbert related in the video message below, next Thursday, May 14, between 9 am and 1 pm, residents will — without a prescription or referral — be able to make an appointment and drive to the PhysicianOne office at 266 South Main Street to get tested if they are exhibiting symptoms of the coronavirus. Tests appointments will be provided to key municipal staffers, responders, police, and other essential workers with or without symptoms as well, according to the health official.

Patients with symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, loss of taste/smell, and general malaise are encouraged to register for a medical evaluation on Saturday, May 9; visit P1uc.com to set up an evaluation.

Drive-up patients without a prior evaluation will be checked for symptoms in order to be qualified for testing.

This drive-through event is for virus testing, not antibody testing. COVID-19 antibody testing is available every day at all PhysicianOne Urgent Care locations. A photo ID will also be requested.

Patients do not need to be current patients of PhysicianOne Urgent Care but must complete registration before Tuesday, May 12, at 8 pm. Patients can register for testing by CLICKING HERE

Newtown First Selectman Dan Rosenthal said, “Expanded testing is a critical element in our fight against COVID-19, as such I am pleased that PhysicianOne Urgent Care will be offering this important event to our community. The town has enjoyed a great relationship with PhysicianOne and I appreciate their efforts to enhance community health.”

Dr Jeannie Kenkare, DO, PhysicianOne Urgent Care co-founder and Chief Medical Officer, said she recognizes the need for increased access to testing resources right now.

"We are proud to partner with the Town of Newtown to provide this service to local communities," Dr Kenkare added.

Again, anyone planning to receive a COVID-19 test must register in advance at https://physicianoneurgentcare.com/newtown+testing — and individuals do not need to be patients of PhysicianOne Urgent Care, or receive a referral from any medical practitioner to qualify for testing.

Late Thursday, Governor Ned Lamont suspended the requirement that state residents receive a referral from a physician or other prescribing medical provider (such as a physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, or certified nurse practitioner) prior to being administered a COVID-19 test. He also is permitting by Executive Order that COVID-19 tests can be ordered and conducted by pharmacists.

The May 8 video outreach message also welcomed Police Chief James Viadero providing a brief update on the local force and how its officers are navigating their newest challenges and added protocols related to the pandemic.

Rosenthal reminded residents that the municipal and school district budgets and several capital borrowing measures were approved under Executive Order of the governor, May 6. This action was permitted in order to prevent gatherings of voters at referendum, and the likelihood of virus transmissions occurring.

The Newtown Economic Development Office is also working on reducing possible virus transmissions by reminding any Newtown businesses with fewer than 50 employees that needs masks to place an order by completing an online form accessible by CLICKING HERE

This ordering program will remain in effect until all supplies are exhausted.

Latest State Updates

As of May 7 at 8:30 pm, a total of 32,411 cases of COVID-19 have been reported among Connecticut residents, an increase of 627 since Thursday. One thousand three hundred thirty-six patients are currently hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 (-49), and there have been 2,874 COVID-19-associated deaths — 77 more since Thursday.

Across Fairfield County, there have now been 1,006 deaths from the virus out of the 12,879 positive cases tallied as of May 8.

Two days earlier, the state presented data showing 60 assisted living facilities in Connecticut reporting at least one resident with confirmed or suspected COVID-19 currently in their facility. Maplewood at Newtown with a resident census of 104, was reporting 10 positive and two suspected coronavirus cases.

The Commons of Newtown in Sandy Hook with a census of 34 also reported one positive case as of May 6. And Newtown Rehabilitation & Health Care Center — a skilled care facility with a census of 154, reported 15 positive COVID-19 cases.

During his Friday briefing, Lamont reminded those eyeing his tentative May 20 start of reopening certain state businesses that most state stores had already closed before his stay at home orders were in place.

"On the other side, Texas and Georgia have reopened in a big way," the governor said, adding that half the stores in Texas did not open and consumers did not begin returning in huge numbers. Lamont also pointed out that a lot of young people came pouring back and there have been spikes in infections as a result.

In Connecticut last weekend Lamont said he saw some slippage of protective standards as beaches became packed, and state parks turned back a number of vehicles. The governor also noted that while overall traffic volume on state roads is still down 30-40 percent, he said reckless behavior has contributed to motor vehicle fatalities surging up 18 percent.

David Lehman, commissioner of the state Department of Economic & Community Development, briefly reviewed some of the guidelines he expects to deliver by tomorrow on reopening certain businesses.

He said the actions will require "safety first-science driven protocols."

Look for more details in this weekend's COVID-19 Update here at newtownbee.com.

Self-Employed Benefits

In other news, the Connecticut Department of Labor has activated an exclusive filing site so those who are self-employed can complete the necessary applications for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA). Those seeking to apply should visit filectui.com and locate the red button labeled with the PUA designation.

The site will accept applications from self-employed individuals, including independent contractors and “gig” workers who have already applied through the state unemployment system and have received a determination notice in the mail.

To date, more than 38,000 self-employed individuals have completed the first step of the federally-required two-step process. The first step, which requires individuals to file an application on the state unemployment system, generates a determination notice that is sent by applications via mail.

The notice, also known as a UC-58, notifies those eligible to file as a self-employed person that wage data is not available and disqualifies them for state benefits. Under guidelines set by the federal government, this two-step process ensures accurate accounting and integrity measures.

Because self-employed individuals already applied through the state unemployment system, the newly-built PUA site will have a record of a person’s state benefit ineligibility status. The PUA system requires applicants to create an account with a unique password and ID.

The secure site also collects the applicant’s name, birth date, and social security number, in addition to wage information.

Applicants will also be asked the date when COVID-19 impacted their employment. Federal guidelines allow this to go back to February 2, 2020. If an unemployed status goes back to retroactive weeks, the system requires applicants to provide weekly earnings through the current week filing.

Anyone in crisis or facing issues making ends meet or experiencing stress or anxiety can also call the 211 infoline or consult its companion website 211ct.org.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ, other guidance and resources, and a way to ask questions, Newtown residents are encouraged to visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

The Newtown Bee is continuing to provide and mirror information and messages coming from local and state agencies on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. Newtown residents can get more details by visiting Newtown’s own COVID-19 web page, at newtown-ct.gov.

Residents can also review all prior COVID-19 updates and follow the newspaper’s Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube pages for breaking local news and advisories.

Please check in regularly, share, and follow the newspaper’s hyperlocal coverage at newtownbee.com through the remainder of this public health emergency.