Staples High School class of 2020 graduates turn their tassels at today’s graduation ceremony in front of the school. Parents and supporters lined the parade route to the ceremony from Long Lots Elementary School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Staples High School class of 2020 girls show off their college choices on graduation day. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Gov. Ned Lamont said today new COVID-19 cases in the state continue to slow but warned residents to continue to cover their nose and mouth when in public.

“Don’t take these numbers for granted,” Lamont said, while introducing a new video that urges residents who aren’t sure if they should wear a mask to err on the side of caution. The video uses the tagline “If you have to ask, wear a mask.”

State officials reported a drop of 24 patients currently hospitalized with COVID-19 compared to Wednesday, which brings the current total to 246.

Twenty-six more people died from complications related to coronavirus. There have been 4,146 deaths associated with the virus in Connecticut. There have been 44,461 cases of COVID-19 in the state, with 114 new cases reported today.

—CTMirror.org

The state today said its Westport COVID-19 case count was unchanged at 295 (280 confirmed and 15 probable) while the number of deaths also was unchanged at 23.

Time limits on Westport downtown parking will be suspended beginning Wednesday, June 17 in order to promote downtown shopping and dining.

The Westport Downtown Merchants Association secured Board of Selectmen approval of the effort through Aug. 31 as well as closing curbside parking on Main Street to Elm Street beginning Monday, June 22.

The closing of curbside parking is to allow shoppers more room and “to enable social spaciousness,” an announcement said.

The areas with no time limits on parking include Main Street (from Elm to Avery), and the lots at Parker-Harding, Baldwin, Sigrid Schultz, Bay Street, Taylor Place, Jesup Green and the Upper Library as well as public lots on Jesup Road.