Daily Update on Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
May 6, 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 pages — including the new data dashboard: healthvermont.gov/covid19.
The path to restart Vermont
Governor Phil Scott announced Wednesday that Vermonters can participate in outdoor recreation and limited social interactions under strict health and safety precautions, as state modeling continues to indicate a slow in the spread of COVID-19. Read the Governor’s press release.
While the Stay Home, Stay Safe order remains in effect, the Governor’s latest order allows for certain social activities if Vermonters follow outlined safety measures:
- Gatherings of 10 or fewer. Vermonters may now leave home for outdoor recreation and fitness activities with low or no direct physical contact and to resume limited social interactions and gatherings of 10 or fewer, preferably in outdoor settings that allow for greater physical distancing.
- Inter-household socializing. Members of one household may gather – and allow children to play – with members of another trusted household, provided health and safety precautions are followed as much as possible.
The Governor’s order, Addendum 13, includes additional health and safety guidelines for these interactions, including following safety and hygiene protocols, limiting non-essential travel, and protecting those in at-risk categories, who should continue to stay home.
Read the Health Department’s guidelines on how to weigh the risks and connect with family and friends safely.
As of today's report, there was only one new case of COVID-19 reported in Vermont and no new deaths, which remain at 52 statewide The number hospitalized fell by seven to 26.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said at Wednesday’s press conference that as the state reopens, Vermonters should consider keeping a contact journal – a list of other people who you have been in close contact with each day. If you did get sick, this would make it easier to get in touch with those people and so they can take proper precautions to prevent further spread of COVID-19.
As we begin to enjoy the outdoors in Vermont, remember to take the usual precautions to stay safe and healthy. Ticks are out, so make sure you know how to Be Tick Smart: healthvermont.gov/BeTickSmart .
For more outdoors information, visit: https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19
Opioid-related fatalities decreased in 2019
Opioid-related fatalities in Vermont have decreased for the first time since 2014, the Health Department announced Tuesday. Newly released preliminary data show a 15% decline in the number of deaths attributed to opioid misuse — down from 130 in 2018 to 111 in 2019.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD said that our strategies to meet this public health challenge are making a difference, “but even a single death tied to opioid use is too many.”
Vermont’s efforts have included providing rapid access to medication-assisted treatment, patient education and rules governing prescription monitoring, the creation of a statewide network for naloxone distribution, safe drug disposal, syringe service programs, a statewide network of recovery centers, and building strong community partnerships.
Vermonters with mild symptoms of COVID-19 can be tested
The Health Department is encourages all Vermonters with even mild symptoms to contact their health care provider to get tested. This includes parents of children who have symptoms that could be related to COVID-19.
Your provider will refer you to a hospital or health center near you for the free testing. The sites. If you don’t have a health care provider call 2-1-1 to connect with a community or hospital-connected clinic.
Be sure you know the symptoms associated with COVID-19.
In addition to fever, cough and shortness of breath, symptoms may include:
- Chills
- Repeated shaking with chills
- Muscle pain
- Headache
- Sore throat
- New loss of taste or smell
Health care professionals are urged to ensure Vermonters with any symptoms be tested. The state is expanding its testing and contact tracing capabilities and is ready with the necessary supplies and resources.
We are relying on health care professionals to help achieve this important public health goal. Visit healthvermont.gov/covid19-providers for more information.
By being tested for any associated symptoms, Vermonters can help us quickly identify and isolate outbreaks, and better understand COVID-19 in Vermont.
Food distribution
The Vermont Foodbank and Vermont National Guard have added another food distribution site for those in need:
- Friday, May 8 at the Allen Brook School, 497 Talcott Road, Williston from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
For details, or to donate to the Vermont Foodbank visit https://www.vtfoodbank.org/.
New on healthvermont.gov
Our data dashboard on healthvermont.gov/covid19 now includes the estimated number of people recovered from COVID-19.
We calculate this recovery estimate in two ways:
- People who have tested positive for COVID-19 report they have recovered to our investigation teams during their follow-up calls.
- Thirty days or more have passed since the date the person’s illness began. (If that information is not available, we use the date the positive test is reported to the Health Department.)
Collecting recovery data is not something epidemiologists normally do in disease investigation. Because of this new challenge, this method provides us our best estimate, and many other states are reporting recovery data this way.
The number of people recovered does not tell us who is actively sick with COVID-19 in Vermont. This is because:
- There are likely people with COVID-19 who haven’t been tested (therefore we don’t know about them), and
- People we do know about may be recovered – we just haven’t reached out to them yet or we haven’t deemed them recovered yet.
Read more info about our data by clicking on About Dashboard Data – New Questions on People Recovered – above the data dashboard.
Case Information
Current COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 11:00 a.m. on May 6, 2020
|
Total cases* |
908 |
||
|
Currently hospitalized |
6 |
||
|
Hospitalized under investigation |
20 |
||
|
Total people recovered |
706 |
||
|
Deaths+ |
52 |
||
|
Total tests |
17,876 |
||
|
People being monitored |
20 |
||
|
People completed monitoring |
841 |
*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
Accessing Emergency Care
Vermont hospitals are safe. If you are having symptoms of a serious medical condition, such as heart attack or stroke, seek medical care right away. Please always wear a face covering when going to a hospital, health care provider or Emergency Department.
Who to contact:
- If you are having a medical emergency, call 9-1-1 or go to the hospital.
- If you are having symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider.
- Most information is online: Visit our regularly updated Frequently Asked Questions.
You can also type in a question to our Ask A Question tool.
- If you still have health-related COVID-19 questions, call the Health Department at 802-863-7240.
- For non-health related questions, dial 2-1-1 or 1-866-652-4636.
Keep a Distance and Wear a Mask
We still need to physically distance ourselves from one another and follow other health guidance. Keep 6 feet between you and other people, and give each other a wide berth when walking or biking. Make wearing cloth face coverings a habit whenever we leave home. Learn more about why and how we need to wear masks.
Take Care of Your Emotional and Mental Health
Feeling anxious, confused, overwhelmed or powerless is common during an infectious disease outbreak. 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.