VDH Update: Biggest one-day increase of 71 cases, 3 more deaths from COVID-19

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health this afternoon reported the biggest one-day increase in the number of new COVID-19 illnesses, for a total of 461 (two of those cases were not previously reported). There were also three more deaths from Friday's report, for a total of 20 deaths now in Vermont. Chittenden County far exceeds all counties in the number of cases, but the southern four counties have seen a rapid increase in reported cases. Grand Isle and Essex counties still have not reported any cases.

Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, has explained that the relatively high number of deaths is largely due to COVID-19 getting into the Burlington Health & Rehab nursing facility and other senior living centers and nursing homes. These are not only vulnerable populations but many of the deceased had advanced directives that forbade medical interventions like resuscitation or intubation or even hospitalizations. Many of these patients were never transferred to the hospital. Dr Levine has called the BHR an "outbreak."

Vermonters are being asked to stay home as much as possible to keep everyone safe during this pandemic. Please leave for essentials only, such as food, and keep a safe distance of six feet between yourself and others. This is helping slow the spread of the virus and protecting people who are more vulnerable. Though we can all feel isolated at this time, we can, and should, connect with each other through technology, spend time reading books, playing games and finding hobbies we enjoy. We’re all in this together.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and mild illness, you can stay home and treat your symptoms. Not everyone needs to be tested, and testing is only done through the referral of a health care professional. Testing is not treatment. Use the NEW CDC Self Checker Tool(link is external) to help you make decisions about seeking medical care.

The coronavirus attacks the lungs, making it harder for people who smoke or vape – tobacco, cannabis or anything else – to fight off the virus, putting them at much greater risk of severe illness, even death. There has never been a better time to quit. Find resources at 802QUITS.org

Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont ­– for anything other than an essential purpose ­­– should quarantine at home for 14 days, following a March 30 order from Gov. Phil Scott. Travel to Vermont by anyone located in COVID-19 “hot spots” is discouraged. Read the order(link is external).

COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

Information updated daily by 1:00 p.m. Numbers are preliminary and subject to change. Last updated: April 4, 2020

*Includes testing conducted at the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, commercial labs, and other public health labs.
** One report was received on 3/22/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative. One report was received 3/23/2020 and not counted until 4/3/2020 and is now reflected in the cumulative.
+Deaths of persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.

Hospital information is updated each weekday by 1:00 p.m. Last updated: April 3, 2020

*Data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition. It is based on hospitals updating this information as they are able.