Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health this afternoon reported that there were 31 new cases of COVID-19 for a total of 543 total cases. There also was another death related to the novel coronavirus, for a statewide total of 23. Of the 6,600 tests that have been administered, over 6,000 have come back negative. The state has opened up testing to more marginal potential cases as tests have become more available and to try and capture a more complete picture of where Vermont stands. In that regard, both Governor Phil Scott and Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the data supports results from last week showing "guarded optimism."
The governor said the state could peak as early as the end of this week. However, he said Vermonters must maintain the sacrifices they've been enduring and remain vigilant to keep themselves and others safe.
To that end, Scott said he would extend his "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order later this week. He said his administration is working on a plan now on how long it will need to be extended given "the best science available."
Dr Levine added that they are urging people to wear face masks when out in public, especially at grocery stores. This is in an effort to keep others safe in case you are carrying the virus but are asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic, he said. The VDH is waiting for further guidance on the use of face masks from the CDC.
Dr Levine mentioned grocery store workers as especially exposed as they interact with the public.
A survey by VBM of three grocery stores in South Burlington off Dorset Street Monday afternoon showed mixed results. At Trader Joe's, some workers and some customers were wearing masks, but not all cashiers. Trader Joe's limits how many customers can be in the store at any one time. A few customers waited outside with recommended social distancing.
At Healthy Living many customers and most staff were wearing masks, but not all cashiers.
At Hannaford's across the street in the University Mall complex, some customers were wearing masks, but no staff, including cashiers, were wearing masks at the time VBM visited the store.
But to emphasize Vermont's so-far encouraging news, as of today only three patients in the state were needing a ventilator and only seven were hospitalized in an ICU. Vermont collectively has 93 available ventilators.
Governor Scott said while the state is in relatively good shape with equipment, including personal protective equipment (PPEs), he would wait until he was sure that the state would not suffer through a surge before sharing equipment. He noted that a surge in COVID-19 could quickly put sever demands on Vermont's PPE stockpile, hospital beds and life-saving ventilators.
Vermont has 135 ICU beds dedicated for COVID-19 patients and has set aside 622 total beds for COVID-19 patients. As of today, there are 28 patients statewide admitted to hospital for COVID-19, with another 63 being monitored.
To emphasize that point, Seven Days reported today that the Birchwood Terrace nursing home has acknowledge that 22 staffers there have reported positive tests for COVID-19.
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 hospitalization. Many of these patients were never transferred to the hospital. Dr Levine has called the BHR an "outbreak."
As for today's report by county, Chittenden County still leads with the most cases, with 285, and Windham County continues to see an increase in cases and now has 35 cases. Grand Isle and Essex counties have not reported any cases. See charts and illustrations below.
New information is in red
This update is also available at healthvermont.gov/covid19 under UPDATES
Vermonters are 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 6 feet between yourself and others. This is critical to limiting the impact of the virus and protecting people who are more vulnerable to serious illness, including death.
Early data shows that the sacrifices Vermonters are making by staying at home are working. These are difficult times, but we must keep it up in the coming weeks to save lives.
Though we may all feel isolated at this time, we can, and should, connect with each other through technology, reading books, playing games and finding hobbies we enjoy. We’re all in this together.
Visit healthvermont.gov/covid19 for the up-to-date information and guidance.
New Guidance on Cloth Face Masks
Vermonters should wear cloth facial masks, or coverings, if they need to leave their homes for essential purposes, like going grocery shopping or to the pharmacy, or outdoors if other people are nearby.
The advice to wear cloth masks is based on new data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Because people may have COVID-19 but no symptoms, wearing a face mask may help keep people from spreading the virus. Face coverings are not a substitute for physical distancing and other prevention measures. Read the CDC’s guidance on how to use and make cloth masks. Watch a video of the U.S. Surgeon General on how to make your own face covering using items around the house.
Medical-grade mask supplies are needed for our health care workers and first responders. Please uses cloth or other recommended facial coverings for your yourself and loved ones.
The most effective way to slow the virus’s spread is to continue to follow the Governor’s Stay Home, Stay Safe Order, respect social distancing, and be vigilant in regularly washing hands and not touching your face.
How to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
The Agency of Natural Resources provided new guidance Friday, April 3, for how Vermonters can get outside and enjoy the fresh air safely:
- Stay close to home. Find areas close you can walk or bike to. If you must drive, please limit the distance from home to 10 miles, and only drive with members of your household.
- Practice social distancing while outside. You lower your risk when you stay at least 6 ft. apart from others. This includes having your dog on a leash and close to you.
- Be cautious and choosing low-risk activities to avoid injury. This will help lower the burden on our hospitals and health care system.
- Respect signs for closed areas, trails and land. Check www.Trailfinder.info to see if your trail is currently open before you visit.
For more information, visit the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation at https://fpr.vermont.gov/
Vermont’s Response
Medical surge preparations
On April 2, Gov. Phil Scott announced additional medical surge locations to prepare for a surge of COVID-19 patients and the need for additional hospital and medical capacity. Read more details in the press release.
Forecasting of COVID-19 cases
State officials have analyzed projections of COVID-19 cases and hospitalization needs. The current models project the “peak” of cases between mid-to-late April and early May.
Volunteering
Gov. Scott is calling all Vermonters into service with the launch of a new website allowing people to sign up for volunteer assistance to support the state’s response to COVID-19: https://vermont.gov/
Travel Restrictions
Residents and non-residents coming to Vermont from outside the state – for anything other than an essential purpose – should home-quarantine for 14 days. Travel to Vermont by anyone from a COVID-19 “hot spot” is strongly discouraged at this time. Read the Governor’s order and the press release. Travelers should follow the CDC’s Domestic Travel Advisory for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, which advised residents of those states to refrain from non-essential domestic travel for 14 days.
Lodging Operations
Lodging facilities – which includes hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts, inns, short term rentals (e.g. VRBO, HomeAway, Airbnb, etc.), and all public and private camping facilities and RV parks – are to be closed except for stated exemptions when supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. Online lodging reservations are also suspended. The Vermont State Police and local law enforcement will monitor lodging providers for compliance and work with the Attorney General’s Office on additional compliance measures if needed.
Testing
The Department of Health continues to work to expand COVID-19 testing to a broader group of Vermonters – including those who have mild to moderate symptoms – to help increase contact tracing efforts and prevent the virus from spreading.
Vermonters can be tested in the following locations:
- At hospitals statewide
- The Island Pond Health Center in Island Pond
- The Champlain Islands Health Center in South Hero
- The Wells River Health Center in Wells River beginning Tue., April 7
The National Guard testing site in Putney closed on Saturday, April 4, as previously planned. Additional sites will be opened as the needs are determined.
IMPORTANT: Everyone must have a referral from their provider in order to be tested.
- CALL your health care provider to be evaluated and for the provider to determine if you need a test.
- DO NOT go to a testing site without an order from your provider.
- Patients who are NOT experiencing symptoms will not be tested.
Health care providers are encouraged to order a test for patients with symptoms, and can visit healthvermont.gov/covid19-
Additional Actions
On March 26, Gov. Scott directed schools to remain dismissed through the end of the 2019-2020 school year.
On March 24, Gov. Scott issued a “Stay Home, Stay Safe” order and directed the closure of in-person operations for all non-essential businesses, effective 5 p.m. March 25, 2020.
Read more about what the order means to Vermonters. Read more about what this means for businesses.
The order follows Gov. Scott’s declaration of a state of emergency in March, and a series of community mitigation actions throughout the month.
Case Information
New: Limited hospitalization data is now being provided below and at healthvermont.gov/covid19.
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 1:00 p.m. on April 6, 2020
|
Positive test results* |
543** |
||
|
Total tests conducted |
6,633 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
23 |
||
|
People being monitored |
68 |
||
|
People who have completed monitoring |
745 |
*Includes testing conducted at the Health Department 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.
+Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.
Hospitalization Rates
|
Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 |
28 |
||
|
Hospitalized patients under investigation for COVID-19 |
63 |
Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information as they are able.
Forecast of PPE respirator N95 masks as of April 2, 2020. State of Vermont graph.
These tables, a map of case numbers by county, and a chart of case number totals are available on our COVID-19 web page under COVID-19 Activity in Vermont.
Guidance for Vermonters
When to call:
- If you have questions: Dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636. You can also use the Ask a Question tool on healthvermont.gov.
- If you are sick or concerned about your health: Call your health care provider by phone. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.
If you are ill, call your health care provider. Testing is not treatment and not everyone needs to be tested. Do not call 2-1-1 or the Health Department about testing.
If you are or someone you know is in crisis
Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak.
If you or someone you know needs emotional support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Trained helpers are available 24/7. Or text VT to 741741 to talk to someone at the Crisis Text Line.
For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.
Translated Materials
The Health Department has fact sheets translated into nine languages on its website What You Need to Know About Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
You can also find links to translated videos created by the Spectrum Multicultural Youth Program, Howard Center and other Burlington community members.
Find these at healthvermont.gov/covid19 under “Translated Materials.”
Stay up to date at healthvermont.gov/covid19