Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 2, 2020
New information is in red
Find this update at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking the “See the Latest Update” button.
Please visit the Vermont Department of Health’s updated COVID-19 web and data pages
Racial Equity Task Force
Governor Phil Scott has signed an Executive Order to form the Racial Equity Task Force as a component of a broader state effort to promote racial, ethnic and cultural equity, including in its response to COVID-19.
The Task Force will undertake three major projects including:
- Evaluating structures of support for racially diverse populations, including a focus on the racial disparities in health outcomes highlighted by COVID-19;
- Reviewing current state and federal law on hate speech and freedom of speech and considering changes to state law to clarify the path for prosecuting harassment, hate speech and other bias-motivated crimes; and
- Studying and presenting options to encourage Vermonters from diverse, marginalized or underrepresented racial and ethnic groups to run and serve in public office at all levels.
It will submit recommendations to the Governor on the first project by August 15 and preliminary recommendations on the second and third by December 15. The group will also provide guidance as needed by the Governor.
“This task force will contribute to advancing equity in Vermont, and yet it is only one piece of that effort,” said Executive Director of Racial Equity Xusana Davis, who will chair the task force. “The group will shine further light on existing disparities, but it is up to individuals, institutions and local and state government to make it happen. This is such important work, and it is everyone’s work.”
Protest Safely
As protests continue nationwide, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD is asking Vermonters who engage in public protests and other civic activities to be aware that the same COVID safety precautions apply as with any other gathering.
“In attempting to address the great ills in our society — systemic racism, historic injustice, trauma, mistreatment by authorities, and severe health inequities — we do not want to create a greater threat to public health by accelerating the spread of COVID,” Dr. Levine said, at a press conference Monday. “We hope and ask that protests in Vermont can be done in a way that is consistent with state guidelines to protect the health of every one of us.”
We understand the importance of making your voices heard in protest of these injustices. While you are out, please wear a face covering or mask and maintain 6-foot distance between yourself and others. If you're sick, take action from home.
Free COVID-19 Testing This Week in Winooski
The Health Department is offering free COVID-19 testing every day this week for Winooski community members at the O’Brien Community Center, 32 Mallets Bay Avenue in Winooski.
Sign up for an appointment and get more information at: https://humanresources.vermont.gov/winooski, or call 2-1-1.
New on healthvermont.gov
Traveler Information
Traveling to Vermont or coming back from a trip out of state? The Health Department’s new travel web page is dedicated to providing Vermonters with travel-related information and guidance, including for quarantining and testing.
NEW: Anyone coming to Vermont is strongly encouraged to sign up for daily symptom check reminders. You can:
✔ Get fast, easy, and free reminders by email, text or phone to check yourself for symptoms
✔ Access the Health Department for guidance and information quickly if you develop symptoms
✔ Help our public health teams contain the spread of COVID-19
The symptom check reminders, called Sara Alert, is not a contact tracing system. It is not GPS-based, so it does not monitor a person’s movements or track their location.
College students returning to Burlington can also use this web page as a resource — along with the city’s Supportive Quarantine Pilot Program — and sign up for Sara Alert.
Testing Information
COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Sites Open for Asymptomatic Vermonters
People who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 can make an appointment to be tested for the virus at pop-up sites located throughout the state to test for the virus.
Sites are currently scheduled through June 26. Find locations and make an appointment to be tested at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups. You can also call 2-1-1 or 802-828-2828. All clinics operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
We especially encourage health care workers, first responders, child care providers, and people returning to Vermont – such as college students, people who winter out of state and second home owners – to consider being tested.
Vermonters With Even Mild Symptoms Should Call Their Doctor to Be Tested
People with even mild symptoms are encouraged to call their health care provider to get tested. This includes parents of children who have possible symptoms. Your health care provider will ensure you receive proper care and treatment.
If you don’t have a health care provider: Dial 2-1-1 to connect with a community or hospital-connected clinic.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on June 2, 2020
|
Total cases* |
988 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
0 |
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|
Hospitalized under investigation |
10 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
879 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
55 |
||
|
People tested |
36,619 |
||
|
People being monitored |
28 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
898 |
*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.
Find more information on new data dashboard at healthvermont.gov/covid19 by clicking on the map of Vermont.
Guidance for Vermonters
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
- If you are having even mild symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.
- Most information is available online: Visit our regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions or use the chat bot to ask your COVID-19 question.
- Learn more about why and how we need to wear masks.
- Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet.
Food Distribution
The Vermont Foodbank and the Vermont National continue to distribute meals to those in need this week. For the full list of locations and details, visit: https://vem.vermont.gov/pods
Keep a List of Your Close Contacts
Health officials suggest that Vermonters keep a journal of contacts – a list of other people with whom you have been in close contact with each day. If you get sick, this will make it easier to get in touch with those people and so they can take precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19, including being tested if recommended.
Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health
Concerns about our health and finances during the pandemic, and the unsettled state of national affairs, has left many of us feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless.
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs emotional support, help is available 24/7:
- Call your local mental health crisis line
- Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
- Text VT to 741741 to talk with someone at the Crisis Text Line.
- For more information visit healthvermont.gov/suicide.