An illustration of the new coronavirus COVID-19. Image courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control.

State officials urged Connecticut residents Thursday to get tested for COVID-19 as more businesses reopen and people return to work, noting there’s greater availability of tests and they’re free.

Plainville state Rep. William Petit, a retired endocrinologist, said he believes there’s currently “less motivation” for people living in Connecticut to get tested, given the state’s declining numbers of infections, deaths and hospitalizations. But he said residents should still be wary about the novel coronavirus.

“Those are statistics but one death to the people involved, that’s a tragedy,” said the Republican, during a news conference with Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont and Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz at the Community Health Center of New Britain. Petit also advised that residents continue to wear masks, avoid tightly confined areas with little air flow, practice social distancing and frequently wash their hands.

Wednesday’s test results represented the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests in Connecticut since the pandemic began. Out of the 6,430 tests reported since Tuesday, only 80 were positive. That represented a 1.2% positivity rate. Nearly 366,000 tests have been performed in the state.

People can call 2-1-1 or visit the state’s testing locator to find available sites.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness or lead to death.