Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
June 3, 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
Winooski Cluster Investigation
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, provided an update at Wednesday’s press conference on a cluster of COVID-19 cases in Winooski. In response to this outbreak, the Health Department quickly arranged for Winooski residents to have the opportunity to be tested this week in their community.
On Monday and Tuesday, 200 people attended the site and had specimens collected for testing. Laboratory results did reveal additional people in the community with COVID-19, Dr. Levine said.
“This is the nature of the virus, and we are prepared for this. When we find clusters or identify outbreaks, we expect the case count to increase,” Dr. Levine said. “Our contact tracers work hard to find out who is at risk of becoming ill and reach out to them so we can take steps to slow down the spread of disease.”
Dr. Levine said the Health Department’s collaboration with the City of Winooski and community partners will continue. “We will expect to find more cases, but with contact tracing, coordination with the community, careful isolation and quarantine, this outbreak can, and will, be managed.”
People who may be at risk of contracting COVID-19 from someone who has tested positive will be contacted by the Health Department, to make sure they know what to do for their own health, and to take steps to stop the spread of the disease.
“While Vermonters have done much to flatten the curve, these cases illustrate the fact that the virus is still active in our state,” Dr. Levine said. “Especially now as we carefully take steps to restart Vermont, we call on everyone to continue to practice good public health measures such as wearing masks, limiting close interactions, hand washing, and keeping a diary of contacts.”
Free COVID-19 testing is still available for Winooski residents 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.
Protest Safely
As protests continue nationwide, health officials reminded Vermonters who engage in public protests and other civic activities to minimize the risk of spreading the virus by taking the same COVID-19 safety precautions as with any other gathering.
We understand and support the importance of making your voices heard in protest of these injustices. While you are out, please wear a face covering or mask and as much as possible, maintain 6-foot distance between yourself and others. If you're sick, take action from home.
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 3, 2020
|
Total cases* |
990 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
0 |
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Hospitalized under investigation |
10 |
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|
Total people recovered |
879 |
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|
Deaths+ |
55 |
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People tested |
37,195 |
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|
People being monitored |
47 |
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|
People completed monitoring |
904 |
*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. Recently added questions include:
- Can I get tested with a swab in the front of my nose?
- What should returning and new college students do?
- Why is Vermont testing people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19?
- 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.