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VDH COVID-19 Update: 68 cases associated with Winooski outbreak

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Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

June 9, 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

healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Outbreak Update

The Health Department continues to work with local officials and community partners to test residents and trace contacts in an effort to contain the COVID-19 outbreak that emerged recently in Winooski.

The outbreak is now known to include people in neighboring Burlington. As of Monday evening, a total of 68 cases are thought to be associated with the outbreak.

As Health Department teams reach out to close contacts of COVID-19 cases, people report they are doing everything they can to prevent further spread.

While outbreaks can cause fear and uncertainty, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, emphasized that they can happen anywhere. This is simply the nature of the virus.

“No matter who you are or where you live, you can still walk the streets of Winooski and Burlington, or in any other community in Vermont,” Dr. Levine said. “Yes, the virus is still among us, but remains at very low levels across the state, and we want to keep it that way.”

Vermonters should continue to wear a face covering, keep a 6-foot distance from others, wash their hands often and stay home if they are sick.

The department is offering additional testing every day this week. More than 2,000 specimens have been collected at the pop-up test sites that have been running in Winooski and Burlington.

Test sites are currently scheduled through June 26. Find locations and make an appointment to be tested at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups or by calling 2-1-1.

Protest Safely and Get Tested

We support Vermonters engaging in public protests and other civic activities, and ask all who are participating to get tested for COVID-19. Getting tested is important for your health, your family’s health and anyone you may you interact with in the near future.

Find a pop-up test site near you by visiting https://humanresources.vermont.gov/popups

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.

Testing Information

COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Sites

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.

The University of Vermont and Champlain College are offering specimen collection this week for returning students.

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.

New on healthvermont.gov

Dashboard Data Updates
TESTING: Two new graphs were added to the Data Dashboard: A line graph of the cumulative number of total people tested by day, and a bar graph of the number of people tested by day. You can find both under the “People Tested” tab.

Today's graph is through June 8 (1,430 tests). The highwater mark was on May 22 (1,700).

NEW CASES: You can also now see the number of new cases reported each day (under Total Cases on the main tab, 44.228 as of June 8).

Find the dashboard at healthvermont.gov/currentactivity. Have questions? Click on “About Data Dashboard” to learn more.

Traveler Information

The Health Department’s travel web page providing Vermonters and visitors with travel-related information and guidance, including for quarantining and testing.

Anyone coming to Vermont is strongly encouraged to sign up for daily symptom check reminders.

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.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on June 9, 2020

Total cases*

1,084
(9 new)

Currently hospitalized

2

Hospitalized under investigation

14

Total people recovered

901

Deaths+

55

People tested

44,228

People being monitored

57

People completed monitoring

923

*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. To allow time for analysts to verify an increasing volume of data, the dashboard will be updated no later than 12:00 p.m.

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 Frequently Asked Questions.

New questions added include:

  • Why is the Health Department measuring blood oxygen levels in people who test positive for COVID-19?
  • What can I wear if my health or work environment doesn't allow me to wear a cloth face mask or covering?
  • Do I need to quarantine in Vermont if I don’t make any stops along the way?
  • Maintain physical distancing of at least 6 feet and wear a mask when near others.

Registration Open for Food Distribution

Registration is open for meal distribution sites in the month of June. Those who register are given a window of time to pick up Farmers to Families meals at designated sites around the state. This change will streamline the process of pick-up, and help planners assess the ongoing need for such services. To find a location and register visit: https://humanresources.vermont.gov/food-help

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: