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VDH COVID-19 Update: One new case statewide, Winooski outbreak slows

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Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

June 15, 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.

Vermont’s Response

Governor Phil Scott today signed an executive order to update and extend the State of Emergency in Vermont to July 15. The latest order reflects all current re-openings and eased restrictions, which have been underway since late April to account for the State’s low case counts and continued slow growth rate.

Governor Scott also detailed how a robust testing and tracing program; better knowledge of the virus; greater public awareness of, and adherence to, preventive measures; health and safety requirements across sectors; and increased stock of critical healthcare supplies, the state is much better positioned to track, manage and box in outbreaks and slow spread, which is critical to managing this virus until there is a vaccine.

The State of Emergency declaration is necessary to continue to manage and respond to this public health crisis. It gives the Governor the ability to activate numerous tools for response efforts, including protection for residents of long term and other medical facilities, licensing and regulatory flexibility to facilitate response efforts, health and safety requirements, federal emergency funding, and expanded access to needed services like housing, meal delivery and unemployment insurance. Read the press release.

Outbreak Update

At a press conference Monday, Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said the Health Department continues to test residents and trace contacts to contain the COVID-19 outbreak that first emerged in Winooski.

As of Sunday evening, a total of 83 cases are associated with the outbreak, about 60% are adults and 40% children.

There have been no deaths associated with the outbreak. The one hospitalization reported last week was found to not be related to this outbreak, Dr. Levine said.

Only 17% of people associated with the outbreak are reporting symptoms. This indicates that the number of people who were asymptomatic is a contributing factor to the spread of the virus in the community. Vermonters are reminded that even though the overall rate of positives statewide is low, the virus is still circulating throughout the state.

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

Pop-up test sites that have been running in Winooski and Burlington will continue on a daily basis this week.

Test sites are currently scheduled statewide through June 26. Find locations and make an appointment for any site at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups. If you do not have internet access, you can call 2-1-1.

Serology Testing Workgroup

Dr. Levine also provided an update Monday on the efforts of the Serology Testing Workgroup. The Food & Drug Administration recognized the shortcomings of many of the current tests and has tightened its regulatory authority over manufacturers.

Based on these new requirements, the Serology Workgroup identified four platforms that appear promising. However, because the prevalence of disease in Vermont is thought to be low, Dr. Levine cautioned such tests could still yield a significant number of false positives.

Dr. Levine pointed out that no one is advocating these tests be used as proof of immunity nor evidence an individual can or should return to work. The Workgroup continues to discourage the use of these tests in decisions about infection control or the clinical care of individuals.

The group left open the question of doing population level serological screening for COVID-19 infection but noted its role is limited and its recommendations should be considered alongside epidemiological studies conducted or planned by CDC and NIH or other academic organizations. Many of these are either just underway or not yet initiated, but we are clearly open to exploring such studies with investigators nationally or regionally.

New Travel Guidance in Effect Today

New travel guidance now gives certain types of travelers additional quarantine options.

People driving in a personal vehicle from home to Vermont without making any stops can complete their 14-day quarantine in their home state or get tested in their home state on Day 7 of quarantine. See details about getting tested on Day 7 of quarantine. Travelers who need to quarantine in Vermont can now do so in a lodging facility in Vermont. See details about cross state travel on the Agency of Commerce and Community Development’s website. Travelers can also look up a county to see whether quarantine is required.

Protest Safely and Get Tested

We support Vermonters engaging in peaceful protests and other civic activities. We remind everyone that it continues to be important to follow universal precautions when you are out – wear a face covering or mask when near others, maintain 6-foot distance, and f you're sick, find actions to make yourself heard from home.

We encourage anyone who is participating in a public action to get tested for COVID-19.

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

Testing Information

COVID-19 Pop-Up Test Sites

Pop-up sites throughout the state are open for COVID-19 People who do not have symptoms of 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, and all clinics operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Find locations and make an appointment at humanresources.vermont.gov/popups.

If you do not have access to the internet, you can call 2-1-1 or 802-828-2828 for assistance.

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

Data Dashboard monitoring numbers
In a change in reporting made on June 15, the number of people being monitored now includes those who have signed up for Sara Alert. The Sara Alert system provides free daily symptom check reminders for 14 days while they are quarantining.

There are two groups of people being monitored through Sara Alert:

  • People traveling to Vermont from out of state. (Travelers are strongly encouraged to enroll.)
  • Close contacts of people with COVID-19. (People who are identified as close contacts are enrolled unless they opt out.)

Sara Alert allows COVID-19 response teams to quickly and easily provide guidance to people if they develop symptoms. It is not GPS-based, so it does not monitor someone’s movement or track their location. Get more information about Sara Alert.

In addition, people who have completed the 14-day symptom checking period with Sara Alert are now included in number who have completed monitoring.

Case Information

Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 12 p.m. on June 15, 2020

Total cases*

1,128
(1 new)

Currently hospitalized

2

Hospitalized under investigation

14

Total people recovered

912

Deaths+

55

People tested

52,557

People being monitored

476

People completed monitoring

948

*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

Traveler Information

Get the latest info about travel to Vermont, 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.

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: