The state has tested 12 people for the illness so far; all the tests were negative. The governor’s office said tonight it has requested more tests from the federal government to comply with new guidance about which patients should be tested.

The public health department was provided with kits capable of testing slightly more than 500 patients. Officials are concerned that, because the new guidance set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention casts a broader net, the state will run out of tests.

The state’s testing lab in Rocky Hill has the capacity to conduct about 15-to-20 tests per day, Coleman-Mitchell said in a call Thursday. But Connecticut has entered into an arrangement to expand its testing capacity starting Monday by working in collaboration with Quest Diagnostics, the commissioner said, though she did not say by how much that capacity would grow.

While legislative leaders expressed confidence today that a thorough, systemic response plan — which coordinates hundreds of public- and private-sector entities — can be accomplished, the first step is less complex: Set up a system to begin sharing information and distributing it to the public.

“We don’t want to frighten people,” said Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, co-chair of the Appropriations Committee. “We really just want to do this methodically so people know we are working to provide them the answers they want so they know they are safe.”

Three legislative panels will begin the process with a 9 a.m. forum with state agency leaders, hospital officials and representatives from colleges and universities.

Lawmakers from public health will join the Appropriations and Higher Education and Employment Advancement committees for the joint forum at the Legislative Office Building. But leaders from all groups said they expect this is just the beginning of a process that will complement ongoing efforts in the executive branch, and ultimately include more legislative panels as well.

“Right now what we’re just trying to do is make sure those lines of communication are open, that everyone’s talking to one another,” said Sen. Mary Abrams, D-Meriden, co-chair of the Public Health Committee

The coronavirus had claimed 11 American lives by mid-Thursday afternoon, and spread to at least 163 patients in 18 states, including New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

China remains the most deeply affected country, with more than 80,000 cases and 3,000 deaths as of Thursday afternoon.

Still, the pandemic raises a host of challenges for Connecticut and other states as they grapple with the coronavirus threat.

One of the most immediate is figuring out what preparations need to be made for prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, college campuses and other locations where many people live in close quarters

The latter is particularly challenging, said Rep. Greg Haddad, D-Mansfield, co-chair of the higher education committee.

Colleges and universities not only send students abroad, but their populations are melting pots that attract guests from all over the world.

“If this pandemic does grow, what plans might they be putting in place now for distance learning, how do we stay on course for training our students, even when congregating them together in a single place might not be the best practice?” Haddad asked.

“If this pandemic does grow, what plans might they be putting in place now for distance learning, how do we stay on course for training our students, even when congregating them together in a single place might not be the best practice?”
Rep. Greg Haddad, D-Mansfield

But this type of question is just one example of the challenges Connecticut faces.

What types of testing may be needed? What role does state and local government play in overseeing this? What help might be needed in rural areas to make testing available? And who will pay for it?

Connecticut is guaranteed at least $4 million in federal assistance, and possibly more, under an aid package approved by Congress this week. U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said on a news conference call tonight that she estimates Connecticut would receive at least $7 million.

But there will certainly be a fiscal impact on Connecticut’s budget as well, likely in excess of $10 million, Osten said.

“We’re not going to be able to anticipate everything,” said Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, the other co-chair of the Public Health Committee.

But there are two steps that have to be taken very soon, he said.

First, the legislature and executive branch must work jointly to set up protocols — a process to follow so that when a problem is identified, five different state agencies don’t try five different approaches to solve it.

Coleman-Mitchell said the state’s 2-1-1 Infoline will begin providing general information on the coronavirus starting Friday. In addition, households can learn more by visiting the Department of Public Health’s website at http://www.ct.gov/coronavirus

“We should be able to reassure municipalities, people who provide care for people, most importantly the average citizen in Connecticut,” Steinberg said. “They should be clear on what to do and what not to do and where to go when they have questions.”

Elizabeth Hamilton contributed to this story.

The Senate may vote on the bill as early as Thursday. Trump is expected to sign it.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said this week that he would wait until Congress approved the coronavirus bill before asking the legislature for money to combat the virus, indicating that may not be necessary.

“I think (the feds) are going to do something aggressive,” he said.

In a compromise between Republicans and Democrats, $300 million was included in the package to ensure the cost of a coronavirus vaccine – probably a year away from development and distribution – is “fair and reasonable” when the federal government purchases it for Medicaid and Medicare patients.

The bill also gives the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to make sure vaccines are affordable in the commercial markets.

“Vaccines should be affordable. It’s just as simple as that,” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said Tuesday evening.

DeLauro, who chairs a House Appropriations subcommittee with authority over the budget of federal health agencies, was a vocal critic of Trump’s initial $2.5 billion coronavirus response plan, which proposed shifting funds from other HHS programs, including one that provides heating assistance to low- and moderate-income people. The bill approved today restored that money.

After the vote, DeLauro called the supplemental funding package “a win for the American people.”

“This robust funding is desperately needed, and I am proud to see its quick passage in the House of Representatives,” she said.

Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, called Congress’ quick work on the bill “a rare show of bicameral and bipartisan cooperation.”

While there are no confirmed cases yet in Connecticut, the state lab in Rocky Hill has begun to test residents for coronavirus, also known as COVID-19.

That lab has tested eight people for the virus, and all the tests came back negative.

During bill negotiations today, Democrats were also able to include a provision that was initially resisted by Republicans — changing Medicare rules so seniors could have doctor visits through telemedicine, since they are uniquely susceptible to coronavirus.

The bill also provides $6.5 billion for the Department of Health and Human Services, with $2.2 billion designated specifically for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another $3.1 billion is going to the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund and $836 million to the National Institutes of Health.

There’s also a $500 million provision to reimburse state and local governments for money spent on coronavirus from the time it was first detected in China in January.

Yet another $1 billion is slated to be spent on procuring pharmaceuticals and medical supplies for Community Health Centers, and to improve medical surge capacity. About half of that money will be dedicated to state and local health agencies in areas with a shortage of medical supplies.

“We urgently need a coordinated, fully funded, whole-of-government response to keep us safe from the widening coronavirus epidemic,” said Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District. “Through this funding, we commit to making sure we are putting a robust plan in place and everyone has access to treatments.”

Jenna Carlesso contributed to this story.

The tentative speaker lineup also includes: Louis E. D’Onofrio, Jr., director of clinical care at the Health District; Dr. Pietro D. Marghella, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University;  Robert F. Kenny, Jr., regional emergency management coordinator,, Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection; John Pelazza, manager, Hospital Preparedness, Office of Emergency Preparedness;  Michael J. Vincelli, director of Emergency Preparedness/Response, Health District; Fire Chief Robert Yost, Westport director of emergency management, and Suzanne Levasseur, health services supervisor, Westport Public Schools.