COVID-19 cases up to 95, two more deaths

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported today that as of 1 pm there are now seven deaths from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), which is two more than yesterday and a total of 95 positive cases. This is 20 more than Monday. Seven Days reports one of the deceased was at Burlington Health & Rehabilitation Center, bringing the the number who have died there to 5. COVID-19 patients at BHR are being moved to the UVM Medical Center.

Vermont is now experiencing community spread of COVID-19, which is why everyone is being encouraged to engage in their activities while keeping a safe distance from others – or to stay home when possible. This will help slow the spread of the virus and protect people who are more vulnerable.

New information is in red

The Department of Health wants Vermonters to know:

• For the most up-to-date information and guidance about COVID-19 visit healthvermont.gov/covid19.
• If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath), CALL your health care provider. Many people who are mildly ill can manage their symptoms at home with rest, drinking fluids and taking fever-reducing medicine, when needed.
• Testing is currently limited and is prioritized to healthcare workers, hospitalized patients, and vulnerable populations.
• Not everybody needs to be tested. Do not call the Health Department. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.
• If you need to go food shopping, to the pharmacy or do other essential activities, keep a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others. Six feet is about the length of a 3-person couch or a bed.
• Please connect with family, friends and your community in responsible ways ­­such as using technology, going outside, learning a new skill or helping others in need. We encourage social distancing, not social isolation!

Vermont’s Response

Gov. Phil Scott declared a state of emergency in March to help ensure Vermont has all the necessary resources to respond to this evolving threat.

The strategies include:

• Restricting visitor access at long-term care facilities.
• Prohibiting non-essential gatherings of more than 10 people.
• Ordering the closure of all bars and restaurants statewide, effective 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 17 until April 6. Establishments can continue to offer takeout and delivery service.
• Making a Continuity of Education Plan for the orderly dismissal of all schools, and cancellation of all school related activities, which began March 18. It will last through April 6, but may be extended for a longer period.
• Directing childcare centers across the state to close normal operations but encouraging continued operation exclusively where needed to provide childcare services for workers who are essential to Vermont’s ongoing effort in community mitigation of COVID-19. See March 18 guidance on Supporting the Child Care Needs of Essential Persons During a Novel Coronavirus Outbreak.
• Governor Scott on Monday signed an order directing all businesses and not-for-profit entities – to the maximum extent possible – to put into place telecommuting or work from-home procedures, no later than 8:00 p.m. on Monday, March 23. He also told Vermonters to prepare for a forthcoming announcement on further restrictions and a stay-at-home directive.
• Ordering “close contact” businesses, including gyms, fitness centers and similar exercise facilities, hair salons and barbers, nail salons, spas and tattoo parlors to close all in-person operations no later than 8 p.m. on Monday, March 23.
• Approximately 10 asymptomatic and short-term patients of Burlington Health and Rehab are being moved to appropriately adapted rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Burlington. This is a cooperative effort by the State, the UVM Medical Center and Burlington Health and Rehabilitation Center to ensure the center’s patients can receive the care they need, in comfort, and isolated from further possible exposure to COVID-19. These patients will receive care by UVMMC clinicians and be discharged directly to their home after they are clinically determined to be well enough.

Case Information

COVID-19 Activity in Vermont

As of 1:00 p.m. on March 24, 2020

*Includes testing conducted at the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, commercial labs and other public health labs.

⁺Death occurring in persons known to have COVID-19. Death certificate may be pending.

Please note: Due to the increasing number of cases and investigations, detailed demographic information is no longer able to be compiled by our epidemiology and investigation teams in time to match the posting of case numbers. We are looking at alternative forms of reporting this detail.

As we begin to see community spread and cases increase, public health epidemiologists investigate cases, provide education on isolation actions they should take and guide them on information they should relay to their close contacts. Epidemiologists also follow up on situations in which vulnerable populations may have been exposed to a case.

For the most up-to-date information and guidance about COVID-19, including from the CDC, visit healthvermont.gov/covid19.

Who can be tested?

If you are ill, call your health care provider to find out if you can be seen for evaluation. Testing is not treatment and not everyone needs to be tested. Do not call 2-1-1 or the Health Department about testing.

All specimens submitted by health care providers to the UVM Medical Center will be tested. However, testing resources in Vermont and in the U.S. are currently limited. For now, Vermont testing will prioritize samples from health care workers who are symptomatic, patients who are hospitalized, long-term care facility residents, those who are incarcerated and other high-priority groups. All other specimens will be tested as quickly as resources allow.

Guidance for Vermonters

When to call:

• If you have questions: Dial 2-1-1. If you have trouble reaching 2-1-1, dial 1-866-652-4636.
• Travelers returning from Chile, Pakistan, Thailand, Turkey, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Europe, United Kingdom, Ireland, China, Iran, South Korea, Malaysia, or from a cruise: Call Health Department Epidemiology at 802-863-7240.
• If you are sick or concerned about your health: Call your health care provider by phone. Do not go to the hospital, except in a life-threatening situation.

Fact Sheets

The Health Department has fact sheets translated into nine languages on its website What You Need to Know About Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can also find links to translated videos created by the Spectrum Multicultural Youth Program, Howard Center and other Burlington community members.

Find these at healthvermont.gov/covid19 under “Translated Materials.”

Stay up to date at healthvermont.gov/covid19

Source: VDH 3.24.2020