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Vermont Foodbank, Guard to begin food distribution Wednesday

Submitted by tim on

Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

April 21, 2020

New information is in red

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

Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s updated COVID-19 web pages — including the new data dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19.

The Vermont Foodbank and Vermont National Guard will distribute food to those in need at five different areas of Vermont beginning on Wednesday, April 22. These points of distribution will meet the increased demand on food shelves around the state.

The National Guard will set up and operate Points of Distribution (PODs) at state airports in Swanton, North Clarendon, Newport, Bennington, and North Springfield on separate days over the next two weeks. Those in need of food can go to these locations on the appointed days and receive a seven-day supply of Meals Ready-to-Eat (MRE) for each member of their household.

Those who are ill, have been advised to quarantine, or lack transportation can send a friend or relative to pick up meals for them. Those picking up food can come to the location nearest to them, open their trunk, and the appropriate amount of food will be loaded by members of the Guard.

Dates and locations (9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. each day):

  • Wednesday, April 22 - Franklin County Airport (Highgate/Swanton)
  • Friday, April 24 - Rutland Southern VT Regional Airport (Clarendon)
  • Monday, April 27 - Hartness State Airport (Weathersfield/Springfield)
  • Tuesday, April 28 - William H Morse State Airport (Bennington)
  • Wednesday, April 29 - Northeast Kingdom International Airport (Coventry/Newport)

The need for supplemental distribution is being assessed on a week-by-week basis. Supply chains are strong to food shelves and Vermont grocery stores are not experiencing shortages in most food items.

For details, or to donate to the Vermont Foodbank visit https://www.vtfoodbank.org/.

The path to restart Vermont

As the state continues its work to protect the health of Vermonters, and begins measured steps to restart Vermont’s economy, we will continue to keep our eyes on the growing body of data to inform our decision-making.

Vermonters’ cooperation and support in preventing the spread of the virus is still critical. That means staying home, keeping a distance of 6 feet away from others, wearing a cloth mask, and practicing hand hygiene. These actions save lives and help Vermont to move toward recovery.

An addendum to Gov. Phil Scott’s executive order announced Friday, April 17:

  • Allows small crews for outside construction or other outdoor trade jobs, and single-worker low- or no-contact professional services
  • Clarifies guidance for retailers to allow additional operations using delivery and curbside service
  • Outlines safety requirements for these entities and others already operating to ensure continued social distancing, hygiene and disinfection

Read the press release. Read ACCD’s guidance: accd.vermont.gov

Cloth Face Coverings
The department recommends that all Vermonters wear cloth face coverings when outside of the home, since COVID-19 can spread before a person has any symptoms. Learn more in this fact sheet. NEW: Find a list of where to buy cloth face coverings.

Businesses must follow new guidelines from the Agency of Commerce and Community Development that requires employees to wear non-medical cloth face coverings (bandanna, scarf, or non-medical mask, etc.) over their nose and mouth when in the presence of others.

Read the Health Department’s Health & Safety Tips for Essential Businesses.

Serologic (antibody) testing
A working group of Vermont experts researching antibody tests has found the tests that are currently available are not accurate or reliable enough to make decisions or recommendations to change individual or population-level behaviors. The group will continue reviewing the information periodically to see if there are improvements.

Serologic testing measures antibodies in the blood of a person who has been infected with COVID-19, whether they felt sick or not. In other words, it measures the body’s immune response to the virus, but does not detect the virus itself.

New on healthvermont.gov

Frequently Asked Questions

We regularly update our extensive FAQs. Visit our Frequently Asked Questions webpage or go to this direct link: https://apps.health.vermont.gov/COVID/faq.

You can also use our Ask A Question tool. Type in your question and the webbot searches our information for you!

Here are the new questions added to the FAQ today:

  • Can I buy or sign a long-term lease (more than 30 days) for a new apartment or house?
  • How accurate is the test for COVID-19?
  • How can I keep from getting sick if I live with or care for someone who is sick with COVID-19?
  • How can I help care for someone sick at home?
  • Is there food available if I need it?

Race and ethnicity data

The Health Department is now including data about race and ethnicity on its data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 (click on the map of Vermont). We can use this data to help to prevent the spread of illness, improve care for patients, and present a more complete picture of how COVID-19 may be affecting everyone in Vermont.

How Are You Staying Safe and Happy at Home?

We know it can be tough staying home. But there are still lots of ways we can keep living happy, healthy lives. Watch and share our video of how some of us are doing just that. We’re all in this together!

Expedited Temporary Licenses for Health Professionals

Health professionals can quickly become temporarily licensed to provide care during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

Volunteering

We still need your help! Please sign up to support the state’s COVID-19 response: https://vermont.gov/volunteer. Have medical supplies to donate? Visit the COVID-19 Donations site.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 11:00 a.m. on April 21, 2020

Total cases*

818

Currently hospitalized

21

Hospitalized under investigation

20

Deaths+

40

Total tests

13,111

People being monitored

25

People completed monitoring

817

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

Find more information on new data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking on the map of Vermont.

Guidance for Vermonters

Who to contact:

  • If you have questions: Use the Ask A Question tool on healthvermont.gov and review the FAQs.
  • Call the Health Department at 802-863-7240 for COVID-19 health-related questions. Calls are answered 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., seven days a week. Outside those hours, leave a message and your call will be returned.
  • For non-health related questions, dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636.
  • If you are sick: Stay home and contact your health care provider online or by phone. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.

Testing

The Department of Health continues to test Vermonters with COVID-19 symptoms to help increase contact tracing efforts and prevent the virus from spreading. Vermonters can be tested at hospital locations statewide and health centers in Island Pond, South Hero and 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.

Enjoy the Outdoors Safely
Spring in Vermont is great – so take the proper precautions and go outside. Just be sure to stay close to home, practice social distancing, choose low-risk activities and respect all signs for closed areas. For more info visit: https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19

Ticks are Terrible at Social Distancing

As you go safely outdoors, remember that the ticks are starting to come back and are hungry for their spring meal. It’s up to us to stay away from them. Use insect repellent, avoid wooded and brushy areas, and always do a tick check when you get home. Get more tick tips at healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart.

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, help is available 24/7: