COVID-19 update: Scott wears a mask, cases up 30, no deaths

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, and HHS Secretary Mike Smith arrived at this morning press briefing wearing cloth face masks. The state is advising that everyone in Vermont wear a cloth mask when they leave home. The exceptions are if you are outdoors away from others. Still, Scott and Levine emphasized that these masks are intended to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus in order to keep others safe. Wearing a mask will not prevent you from getting the disease known as COVID-19. They said social distancing and washing hands are vital to containing the disease.

As for how Vermont is doing in that regard, Scott said he will announce on Friday an extension of his "Stay Home, Stay Safe" order from two weeks ago. He said the data shows that social distancing and the closing of many businesses is being successful at reducing the rate of infection. He said the "sacrifices Vermonters are making" are "literally saving lives."

Though cautiously optimistic, the governor said, "We can't lift our foot off the gas yet."

Without these measures, the governor said, we would likely have thousands of more cases and perhaps even more than a 1,000 deaths.

But given the positive trend from their modeling, he expects the peak of the infection to come within two or three weeks.

The governor's Friday announcement will provide more data and modeling that will detail the expected course of COVID-19 in Vermont, how long he will extend the "Stay Home" order, and what new conditions he would include in the amended executive order.

When the time comes to start unwinding the order, he said he would "turn the spigot a quarter turn at a time." The slow return to normalcy is to prevent a sudden surge in cases. Even at a slow return to everyday life, he said if there was a surge, that he could reverse the process and re-institute the current social distancing measures now in place.

Dr Levine also presented a relatively positive situational update.

There were 30 new cases as of midnight Tuesday and no new deaths. He said 30 new cases has been about the average daily number. The total number of positive tests stands at 605, with 23 total deaths attributed to COVID-19. He said a spike in new cases over the weekend (over 120) was due to an increase in testing. He said every staff member and patient at the two effected nursing homes with "outbreaks" in Burlington, Burlington Health and Rehab and Birchwood, have been tested. Several new positive tests came from those sites, he said.

He said it appears that the state is not only not headed toward a "worst-case" scenario, but is actually trending better than the previous model. The percent of positive tests is in the "10 percent or less range."

Vermont also has obtained 15 rapid testing machines which can get a result in 15 minutes, instead of a day or more with existing tests. Some more marginal cases are even being flown to the Mayo Clinic. These machines can process upwards of 120 tests each, for a total of 1,800.

To date, the state has successfully tested over 7,700 people.

The Q&A with reporters that followed the updates from Governor Scott and Dr Levine was dominated by the lockdown of the Northwest Correctional Center in Swanton. Three staffers and one inmate have tested positive for COVID-19. The inmate was tested Monday after showing symptoms. This is the only inmate case on Vermont and he is not hospitalized. A fourth corrections staffer at the St Johnsbury facility has also tested positive.

All staff and inmates in Swanton must now wear masks, Secretary Smith said. He said the full lockdown means that inmates must stay in their cells. Food and medicines and other needs are brought to them.

Smith said that there are currently 1,435 total inmates in Vermont. This is over 200 fewer than when the coronavirus hit Vermont. This is a from a combination, he said, of the natural course of the legal system and less crime occurring during the onset of the illness.

ECONOMY

As for the economy, the small business financial aid and individual checks have not reached people or businesses yet. Meanwhile, unemployment claims have overwhelmed the 30-year-old state mainframe computer.

Labor Commissioner Michael Harrington, who like most of the reporters was on the conference call and not at the Pavilion Building in Montpelier, acknowledged that the unemployment insurance system was bogging down. They've added 45 more staff and has added temporary help in order to try and keep up. He acknowledged they were not keeping up with the phone calls.

About half of the new filings for UI claims require the person talking to a Labor Department staffer. This is because some information in the claim is missing or there is otherwise a problem.

For the other half of claims, they can be completed online at labor.vermont.gov. Individuals will not miss any money even if payments are delayed. The federal government is adding $600 a week to every claim.

As for the two loan programs under the US Small Business Administration, the financial aid to businesses has also bogged down because of the sheer volume.

The original documentation indicated that businesses who filed the emergency EIDL SBA plan would receive a grant of up to $10,000 with three days of submission.

However, an SBA official told VBM Tuesday that it will take three weeks plus three days. The grant could much less than $10,000. But the ultimate amount will not depend on whether the emergency loan (upwards of $2 million) is eventually awarded.

Three weeks could mean three payrolls for many businesses, which have seen revenues slashed by the economic downturn.

The other Paycheck Protection Program aid package also is delayed, though it is unclear by how long. Successful applications have been filed, but this PPP loan program is processed not as direct from SBA like the EIDL but goes through a more typical SBA loan process through a bank, credit union or other financial institution. The Vermont Economic Development Authority is also participating.

The PPP has the ability to loan up to $10 million depending on actual payroll. It also includes a "forgiveness" feature if the business maintains its employment.

VBM has not found any businesses or individuals who have received checks for any of the federal programs, including the direct payments to taxpayers of $1,200.

Governor Scott said he didn't know when money would start to flow on these programs. He said it is first-come, first-served so businesses should be quick to apply. He added that the state congressional delegation has worked hard to secure this financing.

Vermont Department of Health

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 8, 2020

New information is in red

Find this update on healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking the “See the Latest Update” button.

Please visit and share the Vermont Department of Health’s new COVID-19 web pages, including the new data dashboard for an in-depth picture of COVID-19 activity in Vermont at healthvermont.gov/covid19. Visitors can access the dashboard by clicking on the map of Vermont.

Guidance about Face Masks
The Health Department’s new guidance around face masks is available in a two-page fact sheet. It includes examples of when to wear one and when you don’t need to wear one, as well as how to wear it properly and clean it regularly.
In summary, the Health Department recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home to help slow the spread of COVID-19. This advice is based on new data about how COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms.

A mask helps protect others around you if you are infected and don’t know it. A face covering is one more important precaution we can take to help slow the spread of COVID-19 – it is not a substitute for physical distancing and other prevention measures. You still need to stay at least 6 feet away from people, even when wearing a face covering.

The cloth face coverings recommended are not surgical masks or N-95 respirators. Those types of masks are critical supplies that must be reserved for our health care workers and first responders.

Watch a video of the U.S. Surgeon General on how to make your own face covering using items around the house.

How to Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
The Agency of Natural Resources has provided guidance for how Vermonters can get outside and enjoy the fresh air safely:

• Stay close to home.
• Practice social distancing outside.
• Be cautious and choosing low-risk activities to avoid injury.
• Respect signs for closed areas, trails and land.
• Check regularly for ticks and wear EPA-registered tick repellents.

Find more details at https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19

Vermont’s Response

Medical surge preparations
Medical surge locations are being prepared 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 continue to project the “peak” of cases in Vermont to be between mid-to-late April and early May.

Volunteering

We still need your help! Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/volunteer. The website directs those with medical and healthcare skills to the Medical Reserve Corp (MRC), and those with other needed skills to a quick registration process to sign up to help. Read the press release.

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.

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 exemptions when supporting the state’s COVID-19 response. Online lodging reservations are also suspended.

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

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 so the provider can 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-providers for more information.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 11:00 a.m. on April 8, 2020

*Includes testing conducted at the Health Department Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.

⁺Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.

Hospitalization Rates

Hospitalization data is provided by the Vermont Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Coalition and is based on hospitals updating this information as they are able.

The new data dashboard provides an in-depth picture of COVID-19 activity in Vermont at healthvermont.gov/covid19. Visitors to the page can access the dashboard by clicking on the map of 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.

Be Tick Smart
Social distancing doesn’t mean you need to stay indoors. But when you’re out walking or spending time in your backyard, remember that ticks are active this time of year.

Stay safe by checking regularly for ticks and wearing EPA-registered tick repellents. For more information visit: healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart